Charlie, the oldtimer croc.

This is Charlie, in 1995, at Hartley´s Creek Crocodile Farm, just north of Cairns i Northern Queensland, Australia.

In 1995, Charlie was already an oldtimer, a bit over sixty, in captivity longer then any other corocodile in the world.

He was caught at the Barron River in 1935, five feet long. He was already in the early years named " The Old Croc".

The man who caught him was Herb Evans and the croc was to be an attraction for their visitors. Herb showed him off while tvisitors waited for their tea and scones.

Many years later, it has been said, when Herb visited him the croc seemed to recognize his voice.

Later the croc was named after a friend, Charlie Davis, a bus driver who stopped at the halfway house with parties of visitors.

During World War 2, some American officers tried to buy Charlie from Herb Evans. He refused. His reason - "Charlie was his livelihood!"

Charlies fame grew steadily and celebrities of the day came flocking.

Prince Charles was one of them, they met in 1966 and 1991 the Cairns Council presented Charlie with an award!! for "his service to the community."

I met Charlie in 1995, an icon at Hartley´s, resting most of the time, not having to be part of the tourist shows the park put on to attract visitors.

The photo above is mine, worth gold.

Apart from a bone infection in 1992, Charlie maintained robust health before finally succumbing to cancer in 2000.

He had been at Hartley´s since 1935, 65 years in capitivity.

Over five meters long, the legend Charlie remains in my memory for ever.

A great croc - always to be trusted!

See you in heaven mate!