Giving an angry crocodile a dental exam is, as you would expect, an extremely dangerous task.
A team at the Australian Reptile Park in NSW had a terrifyingly close call this week with a croc dubbed ‘Australia’s Crankiest Crocodile’ – leaving one zookeeper with a head injury.
“The whole thing was over in less than 15 seconds, but it felt like an eternity,” operations manager Billy Collett said.
“I’m so thankful to the team for reacting as quickly as they did and that we all came out in once piece.”
Mr Collett and a team of keepers lured Elvis the saltwater crocodile out of the water and managed to secure ropes around his jaws.
The huge reptile was given a muscle relaxant instead of being sedated because it is safer for the croc, however, it is more dangerous for the keepers.
A wooden chock was then secured in his mouth to keep the jaw ajar for a teeth X-ray. He was belie...
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