Latest news with #crocodile
ABC News
a day ago
- Business
- ABC News
Terri Irwin calls Katter's Australian Party crocodile cull plan 'dangerous' as Queensland considers new laws
World-famous conservationist Terri Irwin has branded proposed legislation to allow crocodile culls and safari-style hunting trips as "dangerous" and a "recipe for disaster". The legislation put forward by Katter's Australian Party (KAP) proposes the creation of a Queensland Crocodile Authority, which would be charged with implementing "zero-tolerance zones" in populated areas, where all crocodiles would be culled or relocated to farms or sanctuaries. "These are man-eating killers," said KAP MP Shane Knuth, whose electorate of Hill takes in known crocodile country in Far North Queensland. But in a parliamentary submission, Terri Irwin described the population increase as "very modest" and said the KAP bill would "increase the likelihood of attacks" because so-called zero-tolerance zones would create a "false sense of security". "Research has consistently shown that when a crocodile dies or is removed, then another crocodile immediately comes in to take over that territory," the Australia Zoo director wrote. But Mr Knuth insists some recreational groups and farmers are worried and angry about the threat posed by crocodiles. "You could spearfish in the Tully River, you'd be ripped to pieces," he said. "The crocs are in their bore drains, they're in their farms, they're in their cane. "We want to get it back to what it was in the 1980s and 90s. It was a risk, but it was an acceptable risk." The KAP also wants Indigenous people to have the option to offer safari-style hunting trips to high paying clients. They describe this as a potential "economic benefit". Crocodiles were hunted to the brink of extinction in Queensland prior to the 1970s. Saltwater crocodiles are currently considered a threatened species and are protected. The Department of Environment estimates there are between 20,000 and 30,000 salt and freshwater crocodiles in Queensland waterways. They have been found as far south as the Boyne River in Gladstone, but are more common on Cape York, north of Cooktown. Speaking in Cairns at a public hearing into the legislation, traditional owners said crocodiles were spiritually and environmentally important. "Crocodiles are a part of us," Wanjuru man Dennis Ah-Kee said. "They help maintain the health of the waterways. Without crocodiles the waterways get sick and that's what we're trying to avoid". Kunggandiji man Warren Martens called for Indigenous people to have a greater say in crocodile management. "Indigenous people need to be involved in that process. At the moment we're left out of it," he said. "We have a great understanding of crocs and how they behave." In its submission to the parliamentary inquiry, the Whitsunday Charter Boat Industry Association expressed concern for tourists snorkelling and swimming, saying any death or injury would "undermine the ongoing viability of marine tourism". But David White, who has run wildlife cruises on the Daintree river for 28 years, said there was a lot of "hysteria" around crocodiles and "fear leads to hate". He favours education over eradication. "I work with them, I love them, they're amazing creatures, but whether you like them or not, it's not the way to keep people safe, it just leads to complacency." Professor Craig Franklin, who has researched crocodiles for three decades, agrees. "Attacks on people are very rare," he said. "It's absolutely possible for crocodiles and humans to coexist, having a comprehensive education and awareness program. "An independent review in 2021 praised the success of the 'Crocwise' education program for its pivotal role in reducing human-crocodile conflicts."
News.com.au
2 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Second crocodile sighting closes Manton Dam to water activities hours after reopening
After being sent footage of a crocodile in Manton Dam, staff said they are taking the matter 'seriously' and closing the recreation area to in-water activities. The popular spot was previously closed on Thursday after a 3m saltwater crocodile was alleged spotted. Rangers from Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife carried out a four-night survey of the area over the weekend. During that time, they reported seeing no crocodiles that large and only saw freshwater crocodiles which are 'generally not considered dangerous'. A spokesperson for Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife announced on Monday morning that the dam would reopen to the public at midday. As a precaution, they said they have three crocodile traps in place which are checked each week and monthly spotlight surveys are carried out throughout the year. However, at 4.30pm, it was announced that the dam was closed to all in-water activities apart from fishing and boating. A spokesperson said they had received footage of a crocodile in the area and would need to carry out additional surveys to try and locate it. 'While the species is unable to be verified, we are acting in good faith and taking the matter seriously,' they said. 'Crocodiles can become survey and trap shy. 'Our park rangers will have a couple of nights without survey but will need to conduct additional surveys later this week in efforts to locate it. 'This may again require a full closure.' Those wishing to visits any parks were urged to monitor the official website for updates as areas may need to be closed at short notice.
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Boy, 13, is killed by 13ft crocodile in front of horrified pals while collecting football from river
A 13-year-old boy was killed by a crocodile in front of his horrified friends while trying to collect his football from a river in Indonesia. Muhammad Syahputra Almanda was playing with his friends in a field next to their village in Jambi on Saturday. The young schoolboy chased after the ball towards a nearby river, but as he bent down to scoop it up was snatched by a huge 13ft crocodile. 'He asked his friend to throw the ball into the water, and after it was thrown. He jumped in but he didn't resurface,' police said. 'Soon after, witnesses saw him in the jaws of a crocodile.' Residents were heard screaming in footage of the incident as the young boy was dragged under the water by the crocodile. Panicked villagers told the authorities, who arrived at the scene and found the predator still with the body before disappearing under the water. Rescue teams scoured the river on boats and later found the schoolboy's body face down in the water at 9.05pm local time. AKP Editasrif, spokesman for the East Tanjung Jabung Police, said: 'It all started when the victim and his friends were playing near the river.' He said the boy jumped into the water to fetch the ball, but did not resurface. Authorities later found the child with multiple injuries. Muhammad's remains were returned to his parent's house for a funeral. Lutfi Mulyawan, spokesman for the Jambi disaster response office (Basarnas), confirmed the identity of the young boy. The Indonesian archipelago is home to 14 types of crocodiles, with a large population of large estuarine crocodiles that flourish in the region's climate. Conservationists believe that crocodiles have been driven further inland closer to villages due to overfishing reducing the crocodiles' natural food supplies combined with habitat loss from the development of coastal areas into farms. Widespread tin mining has also caused villagers to encroach on the crocodiles' natural habitats, pushing the creatures closer toward people's homes. Only in March a beachgoer was found in the jaws of a crocodile off the coast of Central Sulawesi. The 51-year-old, named locally as Sadarwinata, was attacked as he paddled near Talise Beach on March 27. Locals said they screamed upon seeing the deadly crocodile's silhouette emerge, as it darted towards the unsuspecting man. Horrified onlookers watched as the animal caught up to the swimmer before clamping him and thrashing. The local rescue team said they received a report of the fatal attack at 7:15 am, whilst they launched a thermal drone at around 8am to monitor the victim's movements. The crocodile was seen in aerial footage holding the man's body in its mouth near the coast. Deny Abrahams, senior commissioner of the city police, said: 'According to eyewitness statements, the victim was swimming too close to the crocodile that was already visible around the location. 'They shouted to warn him, but the victim was in the water and didn't hear. 'The rescue efforts were carried out swiftly by the joint team. One of the members of the Central Sulawesi Police Mobile Brigade Corps was even forced to shoot the crocodile to make it release the victim.' Officers collected Sadarwinata's body from the sea, and he was later taken to the Bhyangkara Hospital for a post-mortem exam.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Swindon croc returns to museum after five-year absence
A much-loved crocodile is back on display at a town art stuffed gharial, a type of crocodile mainly found in India, returned to its display at Museum & Art Swindon after being absent for five known as the Swindon Croc, the gharial has been in the council's possession since 1931 and has been displayed in a number of exhibitions throughout the gharial has had extensive restoration work done since it disappeared from view when the museum closed in 2020 and was welcomed back with an unveiling event earlier. Gharials are one of the longest living members of the crocodile family but are now an endangered species. It is estimated there are fewer than 250 still Swindon gharial was originally a hunting trophy and its first known owner was Maj Morton Hiles, who lived in India between 1916 and later lived in Warminster and gave the gharial to Warminster School before it was passed to the museum in new exhibition at Museum & Art Swindon explores the history of the gharial, the moral, ethical and legal considerations of protecting a critically-endangered species, where it can currently be found in the wild and what it means to the people of new exhibition also highlights creatures in Wiltshire that are on the critical list such as the West European Hedgehog and the Lapwing bird. The gharial was unveiled at the civic offices by Swindon Borough Council leader Jim Robbins, deputy mayor of Swindon Neil Hopkins and South Swindon MP Heidi Jim Robbins, said: "The gharial, or Swindon Croc as it's fondly known, is one of the most famous pieces in Swindon's collection and was the figurehead of the Save the Croc campaign when the Museum & Art Gallery closed at Apsley House in Old Town."The gharial is more than just a stuffed reptile in a museum and we want to make sure its long and complex history, which intertwines with Britain's past and the country's place in the world, is explored in the right way."
RNZ News
20-05-2025
- RNZ News
Baby crocodile seized from fish tank after alleged poaching from wild in Australia
The crocodile must now live its life in a zoo. Photo: A baby saltwater crocodile seized from a fish tank in a far north Queensland home was intended to be kept as a pet, state authorities say. Queensland Parks and Wildlife senior conservation officer Daniel Guymer said a man in his mid-20s allegedly found the hatchling late last year in a river at Mossman, about 75 kilometres north of Cairns, and took it home. "He believed it was struggling to swim with an injury," Guymer said. "His heart was probably in the right place." The croc is estimated to be less than a year old. The crocodile in a tank in the Manoora unit where it was found. Photo: ABC/DETSI Guymer said he understood that the Cairns man had intended to keep the crocodile in a fish tank as a pet in the inner-city unit he shared with others. "Even though it was small at the time, crocodiles do get bigger," he said. "That crocodile would have quickly outgrown its enclosure." Police were tipped off about the crocodile - which was in an enclosure half a metre wide by one metre long - and rangers confiscated the animal on 16 May. The man was given 28 days to pay a $2419 fine. Guymer said the man was remorseful once the legislation was explained. He said the crocodile had been surviving on supermarket meats and "the odd lizard". The 35-centimetre crocodile has been moved to a far north Queensland zoo as its months-long captivity would have posed too many potential health risks to the local croc population if released. Keeping crocodiles as domestic pets is largely prohibited across the country, except in Victoria and the Northern Territory where they can be kept under strict conditions. Queensland prohibits the practice but Charlene, a 62-year-old croc that's been with the Casey family her entire life, is one of the exceptions. Proserpine sugar cane grower John Casey, 63, has a grandfathered permit that will last Charlene's life. The 3-metre-long croc famously bit the hand that fed her when she chomped off Mr Casey's late father's hand during feeding. "Authorities know Charlene's in a safe place and she's healthy and I'm doing the right thing by her," he said. "She knows me, and I know her moods." Charlene was left to Casey in his father's will, and she is also specified in his own will for his wife and children to inherit. Casey said to protect the reptile's welfare and reduce the risk of poaching he supported the legislation disallowing crocodiles as pets. "As they get bigger they get more dangerous," he said. He said Charlene has plenty of light, shade and room in her large enclosure. He stays safe by refusing to enter the enclosure and stays away during egg-laying. "She has her instincts," he said. "My fingers are on one side of the fence and she's on the other." -ABC
