Australia's tropical Northern Territory presented an unusual gift
to Britain's new royal baby, Prince George, on Thursday -- a
crocodile hatched on the day his conception was
announced.
The tiny reptile, named George after its recipient, was unveiled by
Adam Giles, chief minister of the outback province, who described
it as a "unique gift".
"(Its) egg was hatched on December the 3rd, the same day that Kate
and William announced to the world that they were expecting a
child," Giles told reporters.
The gift is in keeping with tradition. George's parents Prince
William and his wife Kate were presented with a pair of crocodiles
by Darwin, the territory's capital, to mark their engagement. Giles
said the crocodiles were still on display locally "for all the
world to see".
Giles said he hoped the gift would lure the prince and his parents
to northern Australia for a visit.
The government has established a George the Royal Croc Facebook
page so the prince can follow his activities from afar, and Giles
said each year a card would be sent to the young royal updating him
on his namesake's progress.
When the crocodile turns 18, Giles said George would be "encouraged
to see whether or not he might be able to take him back home to his
country".
"We know that Prince George and the royal couple will be receiving
many gifts of congratulations from all around the world -- this is
something unique to the Northern Territory," he said.
Third in line to the British throne, Prince George was born in
London on Tuesday, triggering global fanfare including in
Australia, where his great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II is the
head of state.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said earlier this week that Australia
would send the prince a copy of the popular childrens' book Possum
Magic plus a stuffed toy bilby, and said that funding for a
research project into the tiny marsupial would be donated in his
honour.