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Central Coast Newspapers

Pty Ltd (CCN) is a locally owned and operated, independent news media business, providing local print and digital news to communities across the Central Coast.

CCN publishes the Coast Community News weekly with over 40,000 copies available via more than 250 distribution points all across the Central Coast.

Most stories can be viewed on coastcommunitynews. com.au

CCN seeks to uphold the core purpose of the free press, that is, to provide real, publicinterest journalism without fear or prejudice, to keep communities informed about local issues and events and to ensure powerful interest groups, public and private, are held to account.

Our news content is originated through our own team of experienced, local journalists as well as external sources, including media releases and public notices. All our content is subject to strict editorial standards (available on the website).

Ross Barry, Publisher

Visitors watched on as the alligators, which are cousins of crocodiles, perform multiple death rolls many times over –sometimes at the same time on top of each other.

The carcass feed acts as enrichment as it allows the alligators to perform a naturalistic behaviour.

In the wild alligators are known to track down and feast on carrion.

If in habitat heavily populated with alligators, the massive reptiles will all feed on the same carcass.

Head of Reptiles Jake Meney said feeding the alligators a massive cow carcass was a first at the Park.

“Once we chucked the carcass in, it was crazy how quickly they swarmed onto the bank, and it wasn’t long until they were all trying to have a crack at the huge piece of meat,” he said.

“Our female alligators are still in breeding season, so entering their environment can be extremely dangerous, especially when food is involved.”

The Australian Reptile Park has the largest population of American alligators living in Australia and visitors can catch them being fed at 12:30pm during the weekends or book an Alligator Feeding encounter where they can feed the giant alligators themselves.

More information at reptilepark.com.au/experiences/ animal-encounters/.

Source: Media release, Jan 27 Australian Reptile Park