Australian city on crocodile alert

SYDNEY (AFP) – Australia's northern city of Darwin was on high alert on Thursday after a large crocodile was spotted prowling the city's beaches. Lifesavers hunted the animal on jetskis and swimmers were urged to stay out of the water after the three-metre (10-foot) saltwater croc was seen near shore trying to snap up dogs. Surf Life Saving NT chief executive Tony Snelling said extra volunteers had been called in to watch for the animal. He expressed concern over the "hundreds, if not thousands" of people who flock to night markets on Darwin's Mindil Beach to watch the sunset. The Northern Territory has suffered two fatal crocodile attacks already this year and is estimated to have Australia's largest population of the animals -- some 80,000.