deadly saltwater crocodile that was found in a house and mistakenly released into a popular swimming hole has been tracked down and shot after a search lasting several weeks, Australian wildlife authorities said Thursday.
Police at Kununurra, in the far north of Western Australia state, released the 1.8 metre (six foot) reptile into Lily Creek Lagoon in mid-March, believing the "saltie" to be a less dangerous freshwater species.
The police had been called in after a shocked resident had returned from a holiday late at night to find the taped-up crocodile in her laundry.
The reptile had been caught by a friend of her son who was an authorised crocodile catcher. He had planned to take it to a nearby sanctuary the following day.
After learning of the officers' mistake, wildlife officials warned children and dogs to avoid the lagoon area.
Wildlife officer Brad Rushforth told the Australian Associated Press they had found the saltie at a dam wall 45 km (28 miles) upstream from where it was released.
He said officers shot the beast last Thursday after attempts to trap and remove it from the lagoon were unsuccessful.
{{/usCountry}}He said officers shot the beast last Thursday after attempts to trap and remove it from the lagoon were unsuccessful.
{{/usCountry}}Aggressive saltwater crocodiles inhabit swamps and waterways throughout Australia's north. They can grow up to seven meters (23 feet) in length and weigh more than a tonne.
There have been 14 confirmed fatal crocodile attacks in Australia in the past 27 years, the last a 22-year-old man taken in December 2003 as he waded in a river.