Masked intruders dump three saltwater crocodiles in school

Police are hunting for four masked intruders that broke into a remote Northern Territory school and left behind three malnourished female saltwater crocodiles.

CCTV footage shows the men, topless and wearing bandannas to cover their faces, in the office of Taminmin High School in Humpty Doo, 40 kilometres from Darwin.

The trespassers left the crocodiles muzzled with garden ties. Photo / NT Police

The anonymous trespassers broke into the school in the early hours of Sunday morning, leaving behind the traumatised crocodiles muzzled with garden ties.

A police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that police were alerted to the incident just after 5am, notified by the school caretaker who heard alarms.

Northern Territory police have released CCTV footage of the male intruders. Photo / NT Police

"CCTV footage shows three saltwater crocodiles forced into the main office," Senior Constable David Gregory from Strike Force Trident said.

"Police are appealing to the public for information as to the identity of the offenders."

Parks and Wildlife Rangers attended to safely remove the reptiles, which ranged in length from 1.5 to 2 metres.

The saltwater crocodile - an apex predator - is the largest of all living reptiles.

It has a history of attacking and killing humans, particularly those that come into its territory. Adult male saltwater crocs can reach up to six metres in length and weigh over 1,000 kilograms, whereas females typically reach half that length and weight.