A terrifying 5.3m reminder to be 'crocwise' in Australia's Top End
The recent capture of a monster crocodile caught in Darwin Harbour has prompted a reminder for people to be ‘crocwise’.
Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife (NTPW) posted pictures on the weekend of a saltwater crocodile catch measuring 4.72 metres, but missing 60cm of tail which would have made the predator over 5.3m.
NTPW is warning this time of year presents a heightened crocodile danger.
“The wet season rain fills the creeks, road culverts and billabongs that were empty over the dry season, creating a water highway for crocodiles to move around,” Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife wrote.
“That means you could now be unknowingly sharing your secret dry season fishing spot with an apex predator.
“When you’re fishing from the land make sure you stand at least five metres from the water’s edge.”
The pictured crocodile was caught in April at a popular fishing spot at Darwin Harbour.
“It’s one of the largest caught since taking detailed records,” the organisation said.
“Not only was he extremely well fed, but he was also missing what has been officially confirmed as 60 centimetres of its tail, meaning he would have been 5.3 metres.
“That is a 5.3 metre reminder that the Top End is croc country.”
The warning also comes after an angler chest-deep in croc-infested waters shocked a group of fishermen.
The man was spotted at Hope Inlet, Shoal Bay near Darwin, a notorious spot for crocodiles, in October.
According to NT Government statistics, 65 of 339 saltwater crocodiles caught this year had been at Hope Inlet.
