Crocodile, lizards stolen from Irwin center

[mo1416]

Sun Mar 18, 2:01 AM ET
SYDNEY (Reuters) - More than 50 reptiles, including a crocodile, were stolen from an Australian animal education center established to continue the work of wildlife crusader Steve Irwin.
The haul from the Wildlife Wonderland near Melbourne, included a 60-centimetre (2 feet) freshwater crocodile, two pythons and three bearded dragons, all requiring an owner's license, the centre's owner said.
Also reported stolen were the centre's entire stock of 47 blue-tongue lizards.
"These animals were used to educate children and to keep Steve Irwin's legacy alive. I feel sick over this," the centre's proprietor Darren Tilley told Reuters.
He said the animals were discovered missing on Sunday morning, suggesting a late-night or early morning break in.
"We don't know how they transported all these animals. I'm very concerned, these reptiles need special care, lighting and food," Tilley said.
The center was opened days after Steve Irwin, known worldwide by his television show moniker, the Crocodile Hunter, was fatally pierced in the chest by a stingray barb while snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef on September 4 last year.
Police spokeswoman Kathy Stone said the reptiles could be sold on the black market to collectors.
"We're not sure at this stage, there are no leads," Stone said.
Crocodile, lizards stolen from Irwin center - Yahoo! News

[VoodooChile]

Oh that is sickening!

[Adrya]

SICK SICK PEOPLE!! Oh that is SO wrong! SO infuriating!!!

[TongueFlick]

UGH! That's horrible! I bet that whoever stole them just did it outta spite for Steve Irwin...

[Reptscue]

Australian park robbed of costly reptiles
MELBOURNE, March 18 (UPI) -- The Wildlife Wonderland park in the Australian town of Bass has been robbed, with thieves making off with a valuable load of 14 reptiles.

The Melbourne Herald Sun reported that while the reptiles could earn the thieves a fortune on the black market, park officials are concerned that the animals could die without proper care.


"I would hate it if any of them are mistreated or if they are just left in a bath tub," park co-owner Darren Tilley said. "If they don't receive their special requirements they will die slow and painful deaths."


The animals were taken Saturday from the park's nature education center, that was created to memorialize Australian wildlife expert Steve Erwin.


Police from the nearby town of Wonthaggi said the thieves appear to have had knowledge of the reptiles' true value, but added that he hoped they knew how to care for them as well.


"I hope these people know what they're doing because we are worried about the welfare of these animals," Wonthaggi senior detective Mick Harvey told the Herald Sun.

United Press International - NewsTrack - Australian park robbed of costly reptiles

[Reptscue]

Blue-tongued lizards, croc, python found in car

Ambulance officers treating a man who turned out to have suffered a suspected epileptic fit while behind the wheel of a car early this morning were forced to call police when they spotted what turned out to be a stolen crocodile in the front seat.

It was later identified as one of several reptiles reported stolen from a children's education centre, Wildlife Wonderland at Bass, south-east of Melbourne, yesterday morning.

Several more were found in the car when ambulance officers were called to assess the man after he was seen slumped over the wheel of the car at the corner of Havana Crescent and Bowman Court on the Karingal estate, at Frankston, about 5.30am.

Sergeant Darren Hedge of Frankston Police was further surprised by what the find would lead to.

"Upon arrival, the ambulance officers let us know that there was a crocodile on the front seat," Sergeant Hedge said.

"So we had a look and sure enough there was a crocodile and in the back there was a few lizards and reptiles and a snake."

Sergeant Hedge said he had seen a report of the wildlife theft on a television news bulletin, and guessed the find was related and contacted the victims of that crime.

"And sure enough they've come up here and identified them as theirs," he said.

Sergeant Hedge said that while the 21-year-old Frankston man found with the animals was taken "in a disoriented state" to Frankston Hospital, where he remains under observation, he had neither been bitten by something nor even affected by any other substance.

"No, we don't believe so. We don't believe that's the case. We all thought that, but don't now believe that's the case," he said.

"Ambulance officers believed he might have suffered an epileptic fit or something."

However, Sergeant Hedge said, not all of the missing animals have been accounted for.

Park owner Jason Watson had yesterday said he was "terrified" for the animals, which included bearded dragons, water dragons, 47 blue-tongued lizards, pink-tongued skinks, two children's pythons and a 60 centimetre freshwater crocodile.

He said a children's python, two bearded dragons and about 15 blue-tongue lizards were still missing.

"The ones that have come back are the more high maintenance ones like the crocodile,'' he said.

"We only got one of the snakes, the pregnant one is still missing, which is a concern.

"But definitely to have some of them back is a huge relief.

"I certainly don't want to go through this again ... I have been a very stressed young man.''

Oddly, the thieves did not take some of the most valuable creatures, including several frill-neck lizards worth up to $3500 each.

Victorian detectives will question a man later today in connection with the theft.

Blue-tongued lizards, croc, python found in car - National - smh.com.au

[Adrya]

Well I'm glad they got some of them back and hope they find out where the other ones are..... especially even that pregnant children's python.

[LukaTisus]

Makes you almost wonder if Steve-O's watchin' out for his lizard-babies though. Considering it's pretty eerie that one of the guys who swiped the stock goes into an epileptic fit like that. Of course, that's just me being superstitious