When a croc walked into an Aussie pub!

Melbourne, June 26 : Drinkers at a Territory pub in Australia found an unusual boozing mate at their door - a two-foot long crocodile.

The under-age male saltie nearly made it to the bar too - but was bailed up by three punters in the car park of the tavern in Darwin's rural area.

The Territory's most feared icon was then wrestled in to the Noonamah Tavern for a couple of happy pics with the locals and tourists.

Barmaid Sarah Sparre said that the strange visitor was a momentary diversion from general beer swilling.

"It's not every day you see something like that,'' News.com.au quoted her, as saying.

"The blokes taped the mouth up and put it in a chips box -- it was put on the ground in the corner,'' she added.

By the time Parks and Wildlife officers reached the location, the locals were back to the business at hand -- wetting the whiskers.

Tommy Nichols, Crocodile management ranger, said that he had no idea how the crocodile could have reached the car park.

"It seems strange to me -- there's a good chance he escaped from a car, or someone brought him there,'' he said.

The little punter was sent off to start a sober life out at Darwin Crocodile Farm.

Tavern owner Tony Innes said that crocs were invited to visit the pub as long as they were all under a metre long.

ANI