Theft of Piggie the echidna came after failed croc hunt: court

Two drunk men had to settle for stealing an echidna from a Gold Coast wildlife sanctuary after their hunt for crocodiles ended in frustration.

Southport Magistrates Court has heard Tyson Paul Bothur and another unidentified man broke into the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the night of August 1 hoping to find crocodiles.

When they could not locate the reptiles in the dark, the pair broke into an echidna enclosure and pilfered one.

The theft of "Piggie" quickly went viral, with security footage of her masked kidnappers posted on social media websites.

The four-year-old echidna was found safe and well within days and three men were charged over the incident.

On Tuesday, 20-year-old Bothur pleaded guilty to one count of animal cruelty and one count of entering a premises with intent.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Donna Minns told the court during the hearing Bothur had admitted he and the other man were under the influence of alcohol when they climbed over the sanctuary's fence to search for crocodiles.

Snr Cnst Minns said while Bothur's animal cruelty crime was on the "lower end" of the scale, she said it was clear Piggie had suffered stress and trauma during the ordeal.

Bothur said he was sorry for his actions.

"What I've done was stupid and silly and I've learnt my lesson," Bothur told the court.

"There was nothing planned about it. I just had a big day on the alcohol."

Magistrate John Costanzo sentenced Bothur to a two-year probation period, saying the 20-year-old was old enough to know better - especially as he had four previous court sentences on various matters in the past two years.

"The law is the law," Mr Costanzo said. "You treat it as optional. But it's not."

Bothur was also ordered to pay $740 as compensation to the sanctuary for veterinary fees incurred following Piggie's repatriation.

Jarrod Ronald Simmons, 24, was sentenced last week to 80 hours of community service for his role in Piggie's theft.

Another man, Luke Rye, is still before the courts for his involvement.