Why these tourists are being slammed after a croc snatched their catch
Two Australian tourists have been criticised after a crocodile was filmed creeping up onto a river bank to snatch a fish on the end of a fisherman’s line.
The theft was caught on camera at Cahills Crossing in the Northern Territory’s Kakadu National Park on Saturday and posted on an Instagram page of a couple travelling around Australia.
The post claims the video was shared as a reminder to others to keep their wits about them while in “croc country”.
“Croc sure wanted that Barra! Remember to be croc wise in croc country peeps,” their post read.
The startling footage has since been shared widely across social media, however not everyone was convinced the event was a lucky near-miss.
The NT Crocodile Conservation and Protection Society was skeptical the fish was “stolen” by the animal, instead arguing it had been purposely set up by the tourists.
“[They] definitely did not try to stop the croc taking it. [They] literally got the croc on the ramp and left the fish sitting there for him! Oh and now the croc has a lure in his stomach.”
“It is a federal crime to interfere with, or feed crocs. What’s worse is ... [they] are teaching the croc if he comes up on the ramp as a fish is caught the fishermen will let him have it!.”
The post added the behaviour was “very poor form”.
Nearly 2000 others expressed their opinions in comments to the video, which was also uploaded by Facebook page Savvy Social.
Many were concerned about the crocodile ingesting the metal fishing hook, and several pointed out how “ridiculous” it was for the couple to fish in croc infested water.
“Cahill Crossing is a known spot for big crocs... fishing for adrenaline junkies only! A fisherman was decapitated by a croc while fishing here,” one person wrote.
“The hook is still in the fish, poor croc,” another said.
“How ridiculous fishing so close to the crocs territory they can move a lot quicker than us,” a third person wrote.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, download the Yahoo News app from iTunes or Google Play and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoo’s daily newsletter. Sign up here.
