The Northern Territory government has unveiled a new saltwater crocodile management plan that aims to address the increasing presence of these apex predators in waterways.
The government has increased its annual quota for saltwater crocodile removal by 900. This means that 1,200 crocodiles can now be removed from Top End waterways each year.
While this is a substantial increase from the previous figure of 300, it falls short of a widespread cull of the species.
The decision comes after a 67-year-old tourist was bitten by a two-meter saltwater crocodile at Wangi Falls, a popular tourist destination south of Darwin.
The government revealed its plan isn’t just about enhancing public safety by reducing crocodile densities. It also aims to bolster the Territory’s commercial farming industry, create Aboriginal employment opportunities, and increase public awareness about the animal’s cultural value.
Saltwater crocodiles numbers have recovered to around 100,000 in the Territory, after the population dwindled to just 3,000 due to unrestricted hunting in the 1960s and 1970s.
While there have been public calls for culls in both Queensland and the NT, previous governments have resisted carrying them out because of a lack of scientific evidence that they work.
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