Australian wildlife authorities have been hunting the monster saltwater crocodile for eight years. Photo: AFP

SYDNEY: An elusive monster saltwater crocodile weighing 600 kilograms has finally been caught after an eight-year hunt in Australia, officials said yesterday. The 4.7-metre beast was found in a trap downstream from the northern outback town of Katherine after first being spotted in 2010. Authorities had tried in vain for years to bag the croc, which is estimated to be 60 years old. “We’ve called it a lot of things over the years because it’s been so hard to catch,” senior wildlife officer John Burke told broadcaster ABC. “It is a bit of a thrill, but you’ve also got to admire the size of the animal and how old it is. You’ve got to have a bit of respect for it.” The animal was taken to a crocodile farm to keep it separate from the local human population, said Northern Territory wildlife operations chief Tracey Duldig. —AFP