Crocodile's escape from wildlife sanctuary triggered evacuation

Visitors were evacuated from a North Queensland sanctuary after a 3.8-metre saltwater crocodile escaped from its enclosure before being recaptured.

The croc, known as "Dynamo", bashed his way through the lower part of a gate at the Billabong Sanctuary in Townsville yesterday morning.

A staff member spotted the animal near a billabong and raised the alarm, the sanctuary's management said on its Facebook site.

READ MORE: China responds with threat after US downs suspected spy balloon

The incident shut down the sanctuary for several hours before the animal was recaptured.

"The emergency escape plan was activated. A thorough search of the park was conducted to ensure all customers were evacuated through the front entrance," general manager Bob Flemming said.

"Dynamo, at this stage, had made his way to the nearby edge of the billabong and was enticed out of the water with food, jaw roped, dragged out of the water and strapped to a board.

"He was restrained on the board until the gate was repaired and reinforced."

READ MORE: 'Extremely traumatic': Teen girl dies in fatal shark attack in Perth river

The sanctuary reopened yesterday afternoon, with refunds made to customers who requested them.

Visitors who witnessed the incident praised the staff on social media for their professional and cool headed response.