Deadly crocodile captures double in the NT

NT rangers have trapped 114 saltwater crocodiles so far in 2017, more than double the 53 they had collected at this time last year.

And that’s despite some people dangerously interfering with the croc traps to let them go.

“There have been over 50 captures in March alone and the biggest we have trapped so far this year was 4.2m,” Parks and Wildlife Commission NTPWCNT Crocodile Management chief wildlife ranger Tom Nichols said.

Two big crocs have been caught in the Nitmiluk Gorge already this year. 

The 4.2m salty was caught in the Southport trap, this trap is only 400 metres from a public boat ramp and it was the second crocodile over four metres captured in that trap this month.

The Crocodile Management Team also has evidence that people have been interfering with traps.

This is an inherently unsafe thing to do and undermines the hard work of the crocodile management unit in keeping Territorians safe from crocodiles.

“We discovered that at four different traps, where crocodiles had triggered the trap doors, persons unknown to us, have in fact tampered with the device to open the traps and subsequently release the animals,” Mr Nichols said.

Under the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act it is an offence to touch, stand on, enter, move or disturb a Commission crocodile trap.

Doing so may result in a penalty ranging between $502 (infringement) to a maximum penalty of $7,700 or 6 months imprisonment (prosecutable offence).

“Crocs are on the move and can be in any waterway so Be Crocwise. With the Easter break coming up and the dry season around the corner, we urge everyone to be smart and sensible at all times,” added Mr Nichols.

To report saltwater crocodile sightings in the Darwin region phone 0419 822 859 or in the Katherine region phone 0407 958 405.