DARWIN, Australia (AP) -- A 3-meter (10-foot) saltwater crocodile attacked a hunter in the Australian Outback and clamped its jaws around his leg, releasing him only after the man's aunt punched the reptile in the snout, according to a report Monday.

The victim, 19-year-old Manuel Pascoe, was returning from hunting geese Saturday night when the crocodile, possibly attracted by blood from the dead birds, lunged from a creek and tried to drag the man into the water, The Northern Territory News reported.

Other members of the hunting party grabbed Pascoe, but the powerful reptile did not let go until the man's aunt, Margaret Rinybuma, punched it in the snout.

"I hit him with my fist on the nose and I yelled out 'Help! In the name of Jesus!' and it let him go," Rinybuma told the newspaper.

Pascoe suffered muscle damage to his left leg and was hospitalized in stable condition.

The attack occurred along a creek near the Blyth River, about 400 kilometers (250 miles) east of the Northern Territory capital of Darwin.

Saltwater crocodiles are the world's largest type of crocodile, with some of the reptiles growing to be longer than 6 meters (20 feet).

Saw the report on TV news, I reckon when the croc saw how ugly the guy was it spat him out!

Duck and goose is favourite fare for crocodiles.

Blyth River? That's where I hope to hunt next year!

Watch out mate, that croc likes white meat!!

1) Yeah I had an aunt like that too!

2) However, if I am "COMING BACK FROM HUNTING GEESE" I suppose I could think of another way of solving the problem! Though my hunch is they were probably snaring the geese or some other non-shooting method.

lol, thats just what I thought, crocks are tough, but both barrels from my 10 ga, may be enough to get him to consider letting me go....I hope

Here is a photo (taken from a bridge) overlooking the Tarcoles River in Costa Rica - the largest crocodile is believed to be a 20 footer - I don't believe any hunting is done in Costa Rica, this river was full of crocodiles - make mine a size 11.5, medium width --- after looking at this photo a bit, I realized that the tires in the mud give an indication of size, in other words, that big fellow is probably not a 20 footer (although all the locals swear it is) - still, there were MANY of them and several locals had set up a refreshment stand at each end of the bridge to sell cold drinks to all of us "tourista" that stopped to look at the crocodiles - this was in early February which is the middle of the dry season, temps in the high 90's with a hot sun - great place - KMule

[ 11-11-2003, 03:17: Message edited by: KMuleinAK ]

Standing next to his boat, in the water, with magpie goose blood all around and he wounders why he got bit

Bakes

KMule- Exactly where is that spot? I'm planning a trip to CR.

KMule- Thanks, great map. We were thinking about spring but maybe we need to go before then. Everyone we know who has been loves it, all kinds of variety, etc. Nice to see they have set aside lots of natural reserves. We travel in Mexico a lot, our favorite way is by bus. Just got back from Copper Canyon in the Sierra Madres, very spectacular.

Bakes

I have a mate who was hunting ducks in Northern Western Australia. He was standing in the water and on shooting a duck had a large salty cruise right past him almost in touching distance out to retrieve his duck for him.

He whistled and whistled but that damn duck croc retriever never brought it back.

My guess he would have been on dry land by then too.

Saw a program on t.v about Africa ,a couple of months ago ,with a cape buffalo going to water and being attacked by a big croc ,which latched onto the buffs throat .this buffalo pulled the croc [and a big one]right out of the river up onto the bank,to the amazement of other onlooking buffs, the croc eventually let go and gave up .one tough buff!!!!!!!

I would have thought that was one unusual crocodile rather than an unusual buffalo

Crocodiles (and lizards) typically take prey that is quite a bit smaller than themselves. A 300 pound crocodile does not take animals of the size that a 300 pound lion takes.

However, as crocodile size gets larger then the gap between its weight and the weight of the prey gets smaller. Crocodiles that take prey the size of cattle and buffalo are normally reptiles that are in the 1 ton weight area, a size which is normally reserved for the Salt Water crocodile.

I am sure you would appreciate the buffalo is not going to back away from the bank of the river with a crocodile of 1 ton hanging onto its neck, especially given the "discomfort" caused by the bite from a 1 ton crocodile

So I think it was an unusual crocodile and the much bigger buffal did what comes naturally.

Mike

Thats just poor training Nitro.

Nitro,

I have to back Bakes up here, I think your friend needs to put a training collar on that retrieving croc and show him who's boss!

I would love to see the flick of the buff pulling the croc out. Interesting with the tables turn so unexpectedly. I am fascinated with the buffalo. If i could hunt one dangerous game on this planet that would be the one. I have only read maybe 3 stories about SERIOUS buffalos. True most hunts go smooth, but you are hunting what is potentially the most dangerous animal on the planet, and from one of the stories I read they hold a grudge.

Oh well, back to dreaming.

Red