4.2m saltwater crocodile captured at Southport
“There have been over fifty captures in March alone and the biggest we have trapped so far this year was 4.2m,” PWCNT Crocodile Management, Chief Wildlife Ranger Tom Nichols commented.
Nichols explained that 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 4 metres captured in that trap this month. The Crocodile Management Team also has evidence that people have been interfering with traps.
“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 commented.
Nichols explained that 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).
To report saltwater crocodile sightings in the Darwin region phone 0419 822 859 or in the Katherine region phone 0407 958 405.