'Built on lies': Australia Zoo faces criticism over totem crocodile's welfare

An Indigenous traditional owner says he was "extremely upset and humiliated" after being asked to leave Australia Zoo by police. Alwyn Lyall, a traditional owner from Rinyirru National Park, traveled to the Sunshine Coast to see Old Faithful, a nearly 5-meter-long saltwater crocodile.

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I'm not threatening anybody. I'm not trying to trespass on the property. All I'm asking for is information.

The 80-plus-year-old crocodile is considered a totem, or like family, to Mr. Lyall's community. Under Queensland law, Old Faithful is also classified as an "icon crocodile," requiring special considerations. Mr. Lyall believes the crocodile was "wrongfully arrested" by the Queensland environment department and transferred to Australia Zoo in a deal done "behind closed doors."

Mr. Lyall had emailed and called the zoo to arrange a meeting with management but said no one was available. He was then approached by police, who he said relayed that zoo managers did not want him returning to the property. "This whole saga, from the beginning, has been built on lies," Mr. Lyall told 7.30.

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The management seem to be hiding.

He expressed disappointment, suggesting that the zoo's current management, possibly including Terri Irwin, might be ignoring the issue. "Steve was an environmentalist. He wouldn't have wanted this for Old Faithful. From what I know, he loved keeping animals in the wild," Mr. Lyall said.

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This whole saga, from the beginning, has been built on lies.

Australia Zoo was contacted for comment but did not respond to 7.30's inquiries. The department responsible for Old Faithful's capture and transfer to Australia Zoo may have breached statutory obligations, according to a previous 7.30 investigation.

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I don't think Terri Irwin knows what's going on. Or if she does, the attitude seems to be: put your head in the sand and hope it'll go away.