NT: Close to 200 crocodiles captured in Australia

AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-2009
NT: Close to 200 crocodiles captured in Australia

SYDNEY, Dec 23 AFP - Almost 200 predatory saltwater crocodiles have been removed from
waterways around Darwin this year for the safety of residents, an official says.

Rangers picked up 196 of the deadly reptiles in Darwin and elsewhere in the Northern
Territory, with the largest a 4.9 metre male, regional director of Conservation and Wildlife
Brett Easton told AFP on Wednesday.

"Once captured they are taken to a crocodile farm where they live a long and lazy life,"

Easton said.

As part of its crocodile management program, the government has been removing the "salties"

from waterways near residential, recreation and swimming areas. Last year 190 were removed.

Easton said some of the animals were found close to where people live, including in
stormwater drains and swimming areas.

"In the Northern Territory we all live fairly close to water and saltwater crocodiles
are not unusual in our waters," he said.

He said heavy rainfall and flooding in the wet season allowed the crocodiles, believed
to number 80,000 in Australia's north, to move more freely and inhabit areas they would
otherwise avoid.

Two people, including a young girl, were killed in crocodile attacks in the Northern
Territory this year.

AFP ash

KEYWORD: CROCODILES

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