DNA test on crocodile's stomach in bid to find missing Scot's remains

POLICE in Australia's far north have conducted DNA tests to identify human remains found in the stomach of a 4.3 metre crocodile.

The crocodile was one of three captured during a search for 62-year-old Scots-born Arthur Booker, who disappeared two weeks ago when he went to check crab traps on the Endeavour River.

Mr Booker, who was reportedly born in Banffshire but lived in a town south of Brisbane, went missing from a river bank on September 30 and his belongings were found near crocodile tracks.

Wildlife officers said the crocodile, captured near the tropical town of Cooktown in northern Queensland state, would not be put down despite the gruesome find.

"As it is an iconic animal, the crocodile will not be harmed or killed. It will not be released back into the wild," said a spokeswoman for Queensland's Environment Protection Agency.

Wildlife officers used x-rays and an endoscope to examine the contents of the crocodile's stomach to find and take samples of the remains.

The area is the natural habitat for salt water crocodiles, which are opportunistic, territorial hunters.