A massive 3.63-meter saltwater crocodile that had been terrorizing a village in northern Australia was killed and eaten by locals during a traditional festival. The predator had moved into Baines River, just 250 meters from residences, following floods earlier this year, and had been stalking and lunging at children and adults. The crocodile had also reportedly taken several community dogs.
In response to the threat, local police, after consulting with elders and traditional landowners in the Aboriginal community, shot the crocodile on Tuesday. Northern Territory police stated, “In consultation with Traditional Owners, Elders, community members, and Parks and Wildlife, the crocodile was shot to ensure that it did not continue to pose a significant risk to the community.” Following the shooting, Parks and Wildlife conducted a crocodile safety session with local children, emphasizing the dangers within their waterways.
Traditional feast
Once the crocodile was dead, it was transported to the nearby Aboriginal community, where it was prepared for a feast in the traditional manner. Northern Territory Police Sergeant Andrew McBride told public broadcaster ABC, “The animal was cooked up into crocodile tail soup, he was on the barbecue, and a few of the pieces were wrapped up in banana leaves and cooked underground. It was a rather large traditional feast and there were a few full bellies.”
Community safety
Commander Kylie Anderson highlighted the importance of the operation, saying, “Crocodiles can pose a significant risk to community safety. Thanks to the seamless collaboration between Parks and Wildlife, our remote police staff, and residents, we were able to safely remove the large saltie and maintain the safety of the community. There’s never a dull moment in remote policing.”
Rising crocodile presence
The Northern Territory has seen an increased presence of crocodiles, especially in its western regions, following recent flooding that displaced many crocodiles, causing them to appear in unusual locations. “Just the immense amount of water that came into the area, crocodiles are popping up in locations you wouldn’t normally see them,” Sergeant McBride explained.
Saltwater crocodiles can grow to six meters (20 feet) and weigh up to a ton, with a diet that includes just about anything. The recent event underscores the ongoing challenges of managing wildlife in flood-affected areas and the importance of community cooperation in ensuring safety.