Australian teenagers discover freezer of 70 crocodile heads in Humpty Doo

Local authorities are trying to trace the heads, which have now been destroyed

The three boys made the grisly discovery on Sunday (AFP)

A group of teenagers made a grisly discovery in the small Australian town of Humpty Doo when they found a freezer full of rotting crocodile heads on Sunday.

As many as 70 Saltwater crocodile heads were found in a abandoned freezer near in the small town in Australia’s Northern Territories.

The three boys, Mitchell Morris, Jacob Lawler and Zac, all 13, made the discovery as they were cycling in the bushland when they caught wind of the “unbearable” stench.

“I fell off my bike wanting to spew,” Jacob told NT News.

The boys reported the fast decomposing find to local police who informed Northern Territories Parks and Wildlife.

NT Wildlife rangers have launched an investigation into the mysterious heads, but admit they are puzzled by the discovery as the heads – some of which are hatchlings – are not big enough to be worth anything.

Saltwater crocodiles are a protected species in Australia’s Northern Territories but are highly prized for their skins, which are often used for luxury handbags and shoes.

Anyone caught killing one of the animals can face a fine of up to £36,000 or five years in prison.

The dead animal flesh was destroyed by authorities on Monday.