Crocodile 'steals' lawnmower at Sydney reptile park

A crocodile at a Sydney reptile park stole a lawnmower and dragged it into a lagoon, it has been reported.

The 5m-long saltwater crocodile named Elvis seized the machine after turning on two of its handlers who had been using the lawnmower as a shield, according to news agency AAP.

Staff at Gosford's Australian Reptile Park launched a rescue mission to retrieve the lawnmower by distracting the reptile with some kangaroo meat.

Tim Faulkner, who was sent to retrieve the lawnmower, said: "I didn't mind jumping in the water, once the croc has fixed on a bit of food... Billy distracted him with 'roo meat and I just dove in and grabbed the mower.

"He's just won a big game, so when we get in there to feed him later in the day he's going to be [a] different crocodile, he's going to be the king."

Elvis - who is said to have lost two teeth during the tussle with the lawnmower - arrived at the park in 2008 after causing a nuisance trying to board boats in Darwin Harbour.

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Watch footage of Elvis the crocodile dragging the lawnmower underwater below: