08-22-2010, 01:48 PM
A saltwater crocodile in the Northern Territory predicted PM Julia Gillard would win the election.
It seems even Australia's most iconic reptiles are finding it hard to stomach either of the two prime ministerial candidates. Like all swinging voters, Dirty Harry - a saltwater crocodile admired for his prediction prowess - took his time sniffing out the candidates in his enclosure at Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin on Thursday.
Refusing to make a snap decision, Harry - reluctantly it seemed - chose the chicken carcass that was attached to a caricature of Prime Minister Julia Gillard. The decoy of the opposition leader, Tony Abbott, was left hanging.
Punters will have to wait until next week to know whether Harry's prediction was sound. Meanwhile, other onlookers said Harry's choice was more symbolic than stoic.
One spectator said Harry chose Ms Gillard because Mr Abbott was going to make a meal of her. Either way, it is well recognised in the Top End that crocodile polling is often the best method to settle any number of issues.
Last month, Harry, who weighs 720 kilograms and is about five metres long, correctly picked Spain to win the soccer World Cup. Another crocodile at the enclosure recently picked the winner of the Darwin Cup from a field of 12 horses.
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