Police searching for croc that killed boy

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DARWIN, Australia, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Police in Australia say a crocodile that killed a young Northern Territory boy will likely return, as the community used to feed it.

The 9-year-old boy's body has not yet been recovered since he was taken by the crocodile at a beach east of Darwin on Saturday, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported.

Police, sea rangers and parks and wildlife officers have been conducting helicopter and boat searches around area where the boy was taken, but have not seen the suspected crocodile for two days.

Superintendent Michael White said the croc may have disappeared for now, but will likely return.

"Obviously with people often swimming in the water, that gives an attraction anyway to crocodiles," he said. "They are attracted to noise and movement, so we would expect that it will return back there at some stage."

White also said people in the community fed the reptile, making it more likely to come back.

Community members have authorized police to kill the croc if it returns.