Iconic Crocodile Relocated Over 1,600km to Australia Zoo Amid Controversy

In a controversial move, an iconic saltwater crocodile known as "Old Faithful" has been transported over 1,600km from its northern Queensland habitat to Australia Zoo, the wildlife facility made famous by the late Steve Irwin. The relocation, which occurred almost two months ago, has drawn the ire of traditional owners who say they were not consulted and are "very upset" by the outcome.

The crocodile, which measures longer than 4 meters, was previously featured in an episode of "The Crocodile Hunter" in the mid-1990s, where Irwin "hazed" the apex predator in an effort to instill fear of humans. This pioneering experiment appeared successful for nearly two decades, allowing the crocodile and humans to coexist.

However, that coexistence unraveled in early September when Old Faithful and a smaller crocodile were removed from the Normanby River by wildlife officers. Authorities cited the crocodile's "repeated, concerning escalating behavior" as a result of being fed by people.

While Australia Zoo says it is proud to provide a "forever home" for Old Faithful, conservationists describe the relocation as a "cover-up" lacking transparency and cultural authority. They argue the crocodile, which survived for decades in the wild, is now "sentenced to a lifetime in captivity" for tourists' amusement.