<
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-20/australia-zoo-calls-police-on-traditional-owner-over-crocodile/106790980>
“Alwyn Lyall says he felt "extremely upset and humiliated" when, in front of
tourists and staff, police asked him to leave Australia Zoo.
"I'm not threatening anybody," he calmly told the two officers who had been
called by the zoo's managers.
"I'm not trying to trespass on the property. All I'm asking for is
information."
Mr Lyall, a traditional owner from Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park in Far
North Queensland, had travelled to the Sunshine Coast tourist attraction, made
famous by "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, to see an almost 5-metre-long
saltwater crocodile named Old Faithful.
The 80-plus-year-old animal is considered a totem, or like family, to his
community. Under Queensland law, Old Faithful is also classified as an "icon
crocodile", requiring special considerations.
Irwin himself had in the past interacted with the crocodile in North
Queensland.
Earlier this year, a
7.30 investigation revealed the department responsible
for Old Faithful's capture and transfer to Australia Zoo may have breached
statutory obligations, resulting in a falling out between traditional owners
and the state government, and the consideration of a human rights complaint by
lawyers at the Environmental Defenders Office.
"The management seem to be hiding," Mr Lyall says in the video recorded outside
the zoo on June 3.
"I gave them notice yesterday, emailed and rang them, and it seems no-one can
find the time to see me."”
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
