AUSTRALIA is famous for its crocodiles, especially in its Northern Territory.
Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory, has the largest number of crocodiles in the country and was one of the backdrops for the 1986 Crocodile Dundee movie.
In 2011, then United States president Barack Obama made a brief visit to Darwin where he supposedly received a unique gift in the form of crocodile insurance.
Is there any truth to this?
VERDICT:
TRUE
It is true that Obama received an insurance policy against crocodile attacks as an official gift from then Northern Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson.
At the time, Reuters reported that the crocodile insurance would have paid out A$50,000 to Obama’s wife, Michelle, if the president were to be attacked by a crocodile.
“I was just presented with the most unique gift I have ever received as president - crocodile insurance. My wife, Michelle, will be relieved,” Obama said.
CBS News also reported Henderson talking about his gift for Obama.
“We’ve got the crocodile insurance ready to go for Michelle and the kids.
“We don’t think that’s going to happen, but it should provide a little bit of reassurance,” he said.
References:
https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLNE7AG012/