Juvenile crocodile captured after weekend operation at Wallsend park in Newcastle

1 March 2026

Earlier Video:

newy.com.au – A juvenile crocodile found in a waterway at Federal Park in Wallsend, Newcastle was safely captured on Sunday 1 March 2026 after police and reptile experts spent the weekend trying to retrieve it.

The unusual discovery drew crowds to the popular park and prompted authorities to seek information about how the animal ended up in the Hunter region, far south of Australia’s typical crocodile range.

NSW Police said officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to the park about 4.30pm on Saturday 28 February after reports a crocodile was in the water, and found a juvenile animal in the pond. Police formed a perimeter to prevent it escaping and keep onlookers at a safe distance.

A police statement said animal handling specialists from a reptile park were called in about 8.30pm with assistance from the NSW State Emergency Service, but the initial attempt to retrieve the crocodile was unsuccessful. The specialists returned on Sunday and captured the animal without incident.

Police said it was not known how long the crocodile had been in the water or how it arrived there, and there were no injuries. Officers said no further crocodiles had been located in the area.

The sightings were linked to Ironbark Creek at Wallsend, near a walking track used by locals, and that photos and videos were shared on social media as people gathered along the banks.

Hunter Wildlife Rescue senior reptile coordinator Teresa Purnell told the ABC it was important for crowds to stay away to help locate the animals, saying: “I would strongly urge people not to go and sticky beak in the area.” She said the crocodiles were likely to have been illegally transported from Queensland and released.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said on Facebook that experts believed there could be more than one animal in the creek and urged residents not to approach them, writing: “please be smart and don’t approach them”.

Queensland Government advice says typical estuarine crocodile habitat begins at the Boyne River south of Gladstone and extends north, and that sightings outside typical habitat are rare. NSW environment guidance states crocodiles are not suitable to be held under a Native Animal Keeper Licence, and says non-native animals can only be held by licensed exhibitors or under a licence from the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

City of Newcastle describes Federal Park’s Wallsend Active Hub as the city’s largest playground, beside Wallsend Swimming Centre. Anyone with information about the crocodile’s appearance has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.