After almost a decade on the loose, authorities have finally captured a "monster" Northern Territory crocodile.
NT Parks and Wildlife rangers caught the 4.7-metre saltwater crocodile on Monday at a private property at Taylor's Park, 60km downstream from Katherine.
With an estimated weight of up to 600 kilograms and thought to be more than 60 years old, it is the biggest crocodile ever removed from the Katherine River by the Territory's Wildlife Operation Unit, acting director Tracey Duldig said.
"He was removed downstream from Katherine to help prevent human interaction in the more populated areas," she said.
The giant croc. Source: AAP
"Large crocodiles can move around Top End waterways undetected and you should always be croc wise."
The NT monster was caught after swimming into a trap set two weeks ago but rangers first became aware of its presence in the area in 2010.
Wildlife officer John Burke said the capture was a "bit of a thrill".
"But you've also got to admire the size of the animal and how old it is. You've got to have a bit of respect for it," he told the ABC.
The croc has been taken to a crocodile farm in the Katherine region.
Only last month wildlife officers also pulled a 4.27 metre crocodile from a creek in Darwin Harbour.
