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DARWIN - Two baby crocodiles have been found in a Darwin home by police on a rescue mission for a tiny Marmoset monkey stolen from a Darwin tourist attraction.
Two teenagers from Palmerston have been charged over last Friday's thefts, which also included a Pig Nosed Turtle.
The marmoset - worth about A$2000 ($2260) - was stolen from its enclosure at the popular Crocodylus Park.
The hunt for it ended yesterday when police, following a tip-off from the public, raided a house in Palmerston and recovered it along with some stolen CB radios, and the turtle.
The police then searched another home in Palmerston where they discovered two baby crocodiles, each about 20cm long. They were returned to the park last night.
The marmoset had made the trip earlier in the day and the park's chief scientist, Charlie Manolis, yesterday said his team was thrilled their exotic furry friend, who sprouts tufts of white hair from his ears, was back home.
"I haven't seen him but he was stressed and dehydrated so the keepers are giving him a feed and then he'll be back with his buddies where he feels more secure," he said.
"They were all quite distressed by the whole thing ... they are tiny little things and they are gregarious animals who don't like being alone."
Two 18-year-old males have been charged with unlawful entry, stealing, criminal damage and trespass on an enclosed premises.
Both were bailed to appear in the Darwin Magistrates Court on August 14.
A 22-year-old man will be summonsed to appear in the Darwin Magistrates Court charged with receive stolen property and possess protected species without a permit.
- AAP
