Crocodiles in Darwin, Australia

Jon Skagfeld · #1 24-09-10, 05:05

Just finished watching a Discovery Channel program on the subject item.

Fascinating how the juvenile saltwater crocs seek the freshwater rivers, but find that there's no territory for them, so they migrate out of Kakandu Park to find a place to live. Darwin just happens to be in their path and many of these juveniles are responsible for the many croc attacks.

Apparently, about 100 years ago, crocs were abundant in the harbour area but were nearly hunted out of existence. Then along came man and established a thriving city. Back come the crocs to what they consider their natural habitant...hence conflict in the form of attacks.l

Any Aussie MLUers that can provide input into this?

Mod: Move if necessary.

cletrac (RIP) · #2 24-09-10, 05:20

Here's how a soldier in New Guinea solved the problem.

Ganmain Tony · #3 24-09-10, 05:22

Seriously John, Im no expert but I can say Ive been to Darwin.

Have had a swim in the fresh water pools and in and around the fresh water falls in Litchfeild National park, WHERE THE GUIDES AND LOCALS TOLD US IT WAS OK TO SWIM.

We were given a choice on which to visit Kakadu or Litchfeild and on the advice of Locals we visited Litchfeild...... Never regretted it.

I was told by the locals also you'd have to have rocks in your head to go swimming in the Harbour. You were almost guaranteed to be eaten by a decent sized salty. Not to mention the sharks and stingers (box jelly fish) that would also get you.

Most of the rivers were freshwater and I saw one SW Crocodile swimming in the Adelaide River that could have easily eaten a Buffalo.

Take home message - read the signs and swim where the locals swim.

Nice place to visit....can recommend it to anyone

Keith Webb · #4 24-09-10, 08:34

One of the Boomerang pilots I've interviewed talks about crocodiles when he was based at Horn Island in the north of Australia - the'd be sunning themselves on the water's edge unaware a fighter was about to pounce. When you hit them with the machine guns they'd jump into the air and land in the water. When hit with a burst of 20mm cannon fire they'd instantly be turned into flying pieces of meat.
For reference here is a shot of a Boomerang to refresh your memory:

Interesting to see how we weave WW2 into virtually any thread isn't it?

Another famous crocodile hunter turned documentary maker died a couple of days ago in a vehicle accident oh his property. Malcolm Douglas was well known and very well liked here.