Australia’s crankiest saltwater crocodile, Elvis, has just marked a truly jaw-dropping milestone, celebrating his 60th birthday in the only way fitting for a croc of his reputation: by tearing into half a cow at the Australian Reptile Park.
To mark the occasion, zookeepers presented Elvis with a massive cow carcass, a form of enrichment designed to closely mimic how crocodiles hunt and feed in the wild. The reaction was immediate and explosive. Clearly thrilled with his birthday present, Elvis put on a raw display of power that reminded everyone exactly how he earned his infamous title.
Measuring an incredible 4.8 metres in length and weighing an estimated 500 kilograms, Elvis is one of the largest saltwater crocodiles in captivity. Equipped with the strongest bite force of any animal on Earth, he wasted no time showing it off. As three keepers held tightly to a rope attached to the carcass, Elvis surged out of the water in a short but intense tug-of-war. This carefully managed technique allows keepers to replicate a natural kill while keeping everyone safe.
Once Elvis had secured his prize, he launched into his signature move: the death roll. This violent spinning behaviour is how crocodiles tear large prey into manageable pieces, using their entire bodies to rip flesh, break bones and overpower animals far larger than themselves. Elvis performed a massive roll, effortlessly tearing chunks of meat free before thrashing his head to finish the job.
“Elvis was absolutely fired up,” said Park Manager Billy Collett. “Once he shot out of the water, he quickly grabbed onto that carcass, and there was no letting go. Then the death-rolling started, taking the show to a whole new level.”
According to Mr Collett, this type of feeding plays an important role in Elvis’s wellbeing. Providing large carcasses allows him to express natural behaviours he would use daily in the wild, offering both physical and mental enrichment for the veteran croc.
The explosive birthday feast comes shortly after Elvis was safely captured by the Reptile Park team to treat infected teeth. With the infection removed, keepers say it’s clear he’s feeling much better, and his renewed aggression toward the cow carcass left little doubt that he’s back to full strength.
Visitors can see Elvis, Australia’s crankiest saltwater crocodile, in action during the Elvis Show, held daily at 1:30pm throughout the summer school holidays.
Elvis first gained worldwide fame in 2011 after eating his keeper’s lawnmower, an incident that earned him international headlines and his now-legendary nickname. Since then, he’s continued to go viral, with videos capturing him destroying everything from pool pumps to enclosure equipment. He arrived at the Australian Reptile Park in 2011 from the Northern Territory after repeatedly attacking fishermen’s boats in Darwin Harbour. Known for keeping staff constantly on edge, every interaction with Elvis requires meticulous planning and strict safety protocols.