Croc's whiter shade of pale has boaties looking twice

ANNIE SANSON

February 12th, 2010

A TERRITORY couple had a "one in a million" fishing trip on the weekend, when they caught a glimpse of a rare albino saltwater crocodile.

Belinda Trewartha and her fiance Peter Bellis were fishing with friends at a Top End river when they saw a shadow in the water and a head "popping up near the boat".

"We thought it was a fish, but then realised it was a crocodile head - and it was all white," the 29-year-old told the Northern Territory News.

"My fiance has been fishing on the river his whole life, we come here at least 20 times a year, but we've never seen anything like this."

Gallery: Croc Territory

Ms Trewartha said the crocodile disappeared in the water, but the fishermen spotted the 2.5m saltie again later in the day.

"It was laying on the bank and it was really white.

"It was a truly amazing sight - probably one of the most awesome things I have ever seen in the wild."

Ms Trewartha said she believed the reptile was an albino with no pigmentation.

"It looked a bit like the white croc (Snowy) at Crocosaurus Cove," she said.

There is another white-skinned crocodile on the Adelaide River. Guides on board the Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise have dubbed the 5m saltie Michael Jackson.

http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/02/12/123351_ntnews.html