A HUGE saltwater crocodile has charged at two workers at a reptile park north of Sydney and stolen their lawnmower.

The 5m croc, named Elvis, attacked the staff at the Australian Reptile Park at Gosford after they went into its enclosure about 9am today.

The hulking beast lunged at one of the lawnmowers and dragged it into his pond. The staff, who were tending to the enclosure at the time, escaped unharmed.

media_camera Elvis the crocodile stands guard over the lawn mower which he grabbed & pulled into his pool while Australian Reptile staff were mowing his enclosure. Picture: Gary Graham



Elvis guards his prize. Picture: Gary Graham

The 50-year-old croc lost two teeth in the encounter and guarded one of the lawnmowers before staff distracted the croc and rescued the Victa.

"Elvis is sitting at the bottom of the lagoon with the lawnmower next to him. He's guarding it," said park spokeswoman Libby Bain before the rescue.

"Obviously we have to go in and retrieve the mower.

"It's not something we think he would eat but it's encroaching on his territory and he believes it is his."

media_camera DT News .Tim Faulkner , Operations Manager dives into the pool to retrieve the lawn mower & Elvis's teeth which he lost when he attacked the lawn mower .Another keeper stands guard over the crocodile while this takes place . Elvis the crocodile stands guard over the lawn mower which he grabbed & pulled into his pool while Australian Reptile staff were mowing his enclosure . Picture: Gary Graham

Staff distract Elvis so the lawnmower can be hauled to safety. Picture: Gary Graham

Elvis was acquired by the park in 2008 after it had been causing a nuisance in Darwin Harbour by climbing onto fishing boats.

"He's a monster. He's the unfriendliest crocodile you would ever have the pleasure of meeting," Ms Bain said.

media_camera DT News .Elvis the crocodile is given a feed after the crocodile pulled a lawn mower into his pool while Australian Reptile staff were mowing his enclosure . Picture: Gary Graham



Elvis is given a feed after the ordeal. Picture: Gary Graham