A CROC with the nickname “Michael Jackson” has been identified as the killer of a 57-year-old fisherman near the Adelaide River bridge on the Arnhem Highway yesterday.

The fisherman’s body was recovered after the crocodile was shot last night.

The site of the attack was known to be a part of his territory.

media_camera NT Police and members of the Parks and Wildlife crocodile management team inspect a saltwater crocodile that was shot near the scene after a man was taken earlier in the day.

The fisherman was fishing from the old ferry track next to the river, and was wading in the water trying to retrieve a fishing hook when he was taken.

media_camera The fisherman’s line is still visible on the bank of the Adelaide River. PHOTO: CONOR BYRNE

Police launched boats at about 8.30pm to search for the man.

Several gunshots were heard at about 9pm.

A crocodile was shot and police found human remains at about 9.30pm.

It is understood the man’s wife witnessed the attack.

Northern Territory Police Duty Superintendent Jo Foley said from initial information, his wife did not see him taken but heard a scream and then turned around and saw a crocodile tail splashing in the water.

St John Ambulance treated her for shock and she was taken back to her rural Darwin home after the incident.

In the past year, there have been four confirmed fatal crocodile attacks in the Territory. In an attack in June, 62-year-old Bill Scott was taken from the rear of his moored boat in Kakadu National Park.

MAN TAKEN FROM BOAT

media_camera Monster Crocodile "Brutus". Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

The Adelaide River, downstream from where the man was reportedly taken, is the location of the Territory’s famous jumping croc cruises.

The tours are conducted downstream from the reported attack location.

Tourist operators take groups out on boats to feed the local crocs, which jump to take pieces of meat hanging from a pole.

The largest crocodile in the area is known as Brutus, who recently attracted worldwide attention when photos were taken of him eating a large shark.

Brutus resides approximately 20km downstream from the Adelaide River Bridge and was seen in his home area asleep on the bank at 5.00pm this afternoon.

CROC EATS SHARK