Shock As Drain-Dwelling Croc Hits The Streets

Drivers in Australia were given a shock as a crocodile slithered out of a drain before being cornered by street sweepers.

The relatively small 1.5m (5ft) reptile emerged from the sewer on a main street in Cairns on Thursday morning.

Nearby street sweepers and police used brooms to keep the animal at bay from thronging onlookers.

It was eventually captured by a park ranger and a few burly volunteers who threw a towel over it and fastened its mouth shut.

As the reptile was taken into a nearby vehicle, one bystander quipped to the ranger: "Make sure he's buckled up mate".

The crocodile is now in the custody of Queensland Parks and Wildlife.

An average of two people are killed each year in Australia by saltwater crocodiles, known locally as "salties".

They can grow up to 7m (23ft) long and weigh more than a tonne.