Karlie Brady

Journalist

Yesterday the Wildlife Habitat’s resident 4.2-metre saltwater crocodile, Babinda, was in the spotlight, tasked with predicting who would be our next Douglas Shire Mayor.

But it seems the decision may have been too hard a call for Babinda, with the crocodile taking his time before making his pick.

The apex predator had the chance to pick the pollie when he was offered a picture of each mayoral candidate, Julia Leu and Michael Kerr, attached to two separate feed poles dangled over his home with the one he took a chunk out of to be declared his prediction.

After teasing the crowds for a while, swimming around both feeding pools, Babinda made his decision.

Taking a big leap, the salty went off script and took a chunk out of both candidates, grabbing the feed of both poles at the same time, much to the amusement of onlookers.

Sharni, the crocodile feeder at the Wildlife Habitat declared the result to be one indecisive crocodile.

“There you go, no clear winner apparently in this next election, sorry Julia, sorry Michael, maybe neither of them will win, who knows,” she said.

So, with no guidance from Babinda, voters will have to make the decision on their own.

Pre-polling is currently open at the Mossman Community Hall and the Port Douglas Community Hall and will run every weekday until the official election day on 28 March.

See Babinda's take on the election in the video below: