Teen boys charged after allegedly breaking into enclosure at Perth Zoo and striking crocodile
Posted Tue 15 Sep 2026 at 4:18pmTue 15 Sep 2026 at 4:18pmTue 15 Sep 2026 at 4:18pm, updated Tue 15 Sep 2026 at 6:39pmTue 15 Sep 2026 at 6:39pmTue 15 Sep 2026 at 6:39pm
Two teenage boys who allegedly broke into an enclosure at Perth Zoo and attacked a 400 kilogram crocodile with a metal pole have appeared in a Perth court.
Police say the boys, aged 16 and 17, entered the zoo in South Perth around 7:15pm on Sunday and cut the locks to the enclosure — home to the 4.2-metre-long saltwater crocodile named Dangalagabba.
One of the boys allegedly struck the crocodile with a metal pole, and both were captured on CCTV removing the cameras.
The incident was reported to police on Monday morning.
It is not known how the pair gained access to the zoo, which was closed at the time.
Later on Monday, police found the teenagers at separate addresses in suburban Baldivis and Belmont and took them into custody.
Each has been charged with two counts of criminal damage or destruction of property, one count of trespass and one count of animal cruelty.
Crocodile ‘lunged’
The pair appeared in the Perth Children’s Court today.
The prosecutor told the court the boys broke the lock to the building which houses the freshwater crocodile, but it was unclear what happened inside as there were no cameras.
The court heard they then entered the saltwater crocodile area and banged on the wall of the enclosure, agitating the crocodile which lunged toward them.
The boys then noticed a camera on the wall, covered their faces and removed the camera.
The prosecutor said one of the boys then entered the enclosure and hit the crocodile with a metal pole, before noticing another camera and knocking it to the ground.
The court heard the other boy held a torch while this happened.
Both of the boys were later seen on CCTV riding staff pushbikes around the zoo.
The magistrate described the charges as “serious” and “unique”.
One of the boys was granted bail and is due to appear in court again on October 6.
The other boy was remanded in custody until a bail application hearing on September 18.
Zoo ‘deeply disappointed’
A Perth Zoo spokesperson said staff discovered the back-of-house areas of the crocodile exhibits had been unlawfully entered on Monday morning.
They said the reptile in the saltwater crocodile habitat sustained “minor injuries” as a result of the incident, and a veterinary team was closely monitoring the animal and providing any treatment required.
“Animal welfare underpins everything we do at Perth Zoo, and we are deeply disappointed by this incident,” the spokesperson said.
“Any unlawful intrusion into animal habitats places the welfare of our animals, as well as the safety of individuals, at risk.
“Perth Zoo has a range of security measures in place across the site including physical security controls, surveillance systems and after-hours monitoring and is reviewing the incident.”
In an email to members, Perth Zoo said the injured saltwater crocodile was recovering well.
“Evidence gathered during the investigation indicates that Dangalabba sustained minor superficial injuries as a result of the unlawful intrusion into his habitat. Importantly, Dangalabba is okay,” the email read.
“While we are relieved that his injuries are not serious, this was a reckless and completely unacceptable act that caused harm to an animal and could very easily have resulted in tragic consequences.
“We know many of you have a special connection with Dangalabba and care deeply about his wellbeing. We want to reassure you that he is receiving close attention from our veterinary and animal care teams and is recovering well.”
Perth Zoo welcomed Dangalgabba to his enclosure in 2019.
The reptile had lived in a crocodile farm in Broome, after being removed from Darwin Harbour by wildlife officers.