The butt of a fishing rod helped an Australian fisherman drive off a crocodile that had gripped his boat. He discovered the animal when he turned away from his catch and found the croc's mouth less than four inches from him.
Here's what to know
The Nightly placed the encounter at Mary River Bridge Lagoon in Australia's Northern Territory, at around 5 p.m.
The Amateur Fishermen's Association NT, or AFANT, shared the account on Facebook at the fisherman's request while keeping his identity private.
The fisherman estimated the crocodile's head to be 19.7 to 23.6 inches (50 to 60 centimeters) wide, according to AFANT. Its head reached torso height as its claws held the edge of his 15.4-foot (4.7-meter) boat.
AFANT said the crocodile "approached so stealthily" and caught the fisherman unaware. Although he had been fishing for 50 years, he did not detect the boat's movement under the animal's weight.
The Nightly reported damage to the fisherman's boat.
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More background
Mary River Bridge Lagoon is popular with anglers, and The Nightly reported increased fishing activity associated with the Million Dollar Fish competition.
The competition releases tagged fish carrying cash prizes. On Oct. 29, Darwin angler Matthew Maurice caught a million-dollar barramundi — only the second time a fish with the $1 million prize tag had been caught in the competition's 12-year history.
The competition also draws anglers into crocodile habitat. Understanding why wild animals attack humans involves examining how people and wildlife come into contact, and this is a prime example.
What's being done?
A temporary notice at the boat ramp warned visitors about the encounter, which had been reported to NT Parks and Wildlife, according to The Nightly.
Crocodiles were numerous in the area, the Crocodile Management Team noted. Even after several hours of searching, however, the team could not find the animal involved.
The fisherman asked AFANT to share his experience to alert other anglers to the need for vigilance on the water. He had fished in the area for three decades.
"If I didn't have that rod in my hand, I don't think I'd be here today," he told AFANT.
Where can I learn more?
Close calls with crocodiles aren't limited to fishing boats.
• In Western Australia, a saltwater crocodile that sparked beach closures was captured and relocated.
• In Malaysia, a friend beat back a crocodile that attacked a clam hunter.
• In Sarawak, Malaysia, crews caught a 17-foot crocodile as questions about public safety grew.
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