IF you thought heading back to work after the long weekend was tough, spare a thought for Australian Reptile Park general manager Tim Faulker.
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Mr Faulkner began his Tuesday entering the pool of five-metre estuarine crocodile Elvis to fix a gap keepers feared could injure the huge predator.
Safety precautions included a rope around Mr Faulkner's waist and keepers distracting the 500-kilogram reptile while Mr Faulkner got into the water.
"I'd be lying if I said my heart wasn't racing," Mr Faulkner said.
"With an animal as dangerous as Elvis, we needed to take every safety precaution necessary to ensure I could go home to my family afterward."
Head of reptiles Daniel Rumsey said Mr Faulkner's concern was warranted.
"Elvis is known as Australia's crankiest crocodile for a reason; he's taken down boats in Darwin Harbour, female crocs, lawnmowers and the occasional pool scoop," he said.
"I'm glad it was Tim in the water and not me."
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