Crocodile named 'Michael Jackson' shot dead after killing man in front of his wife

Australia: A crocodile named Michael Jackson has been shot dead after killing a man in front of his wife.

The 57-year-old man was attacked by the salt water crocodile after entering a river in Australia's Northern Territory in order to free his fishing line.

The incident took place on the Adelaide River on Monday afternoon, 60km from Darwin, ABC news reports.

The man's wife ran for help after seeing her husband being attacked.

A crocodile named after late pop superstar Jackson because he is half-albino - was tracked down and shot by police and wildlife officers later the same day.

"[The victim] was there with his wife and he was fishing on the water's edge," Police Superintendent Jo Foley said.

"[His wife] left the scene because she saw this happen."

The shot reptile is known to have regularly been encouraged to leap from the water for chicken carcasses dangled from tourist cruise ships.

Police Superintendent Bob Harrison told ABC that the croc was known to operators of the Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise firm.

The man's body was recovered on Monday night.

Adelaide River is known for its large population of crocodiles and has signs warning about the presence of the creatures in the area.