11 hours ago
Couple slammed for letting kids play dangerously close to crocodile infested waters in Darwin
A couple has come under fire online after posting a video showing their children playing dangerously close to waters known to be inhabited by saltwater crocodiles.
The footage was taken at the Mangrove Boardwalk, a raised aluminium walkway about 10 minutes from Darwin, which runs directly through crocodile territory.
While the boardwalk is elevated and appears safe, the video shows one of the children standing on the guard rail, leaning over the edge and peering into the water. Viewers were quick to point out the serious risk.
'Wouldn't have your kid hanging over the edge like that, crocodile food,' one person commented.
'Some saltwater crocodiles are capable of leaping up to two meters,' another viewer warned.
'I wouldn't let my children hang over the rails. Have you seen how high crocodiles jump?' added another.
The City of Darwin has previously warned that while the Mangrove Boardwalk is a popular attraction, the wildlife must be respected.
'Any body of water in the Top End, including Darwin Harbour, may contain large and potentially dangerous crocodiles,' a spokesperson said.
'People are advised to be crocwise and adhere to crocwise warnings at all times.'
The boardwalk is designed to accommodate tidal flow, with signs warning that water levels can vary, but that hasn't stopped some visitors from underestimating the risks.
Crocodiles aren't the only threat in the area.
The waters around the boardwalk are also home to the world's most venomous animal, the box jellyfish, which can kill a child in minutes if enough tentacles make contact.
While crocodile attacks in the Northern Territory are relatively rare, they do happen.
Between 1979 and 2022, there were 76 recorded attacks, 30 per cent of them fatal. The region is home to an estimated 100,000 saltwater crocodiles.
