'Eaten and ripped to pieces': Katter slams Irwin on crocodile cull stance
Independent federal MP Bob Katter has told conservationist Terri Irwin to start living in the real world where crocodiles are ripping humans "to pieces" and need to be culled.
Mr Katter has criticised her for her "greenie" views and for asking Queensland MPs to rule out a crocodile cull, with Ms Irwin saying people need to coexist with the reptiles.
"And I don't care if she's St Gabriel's mother, we're being eaten and ripped to pieces (the most savage death imaginable ) so that she can keep her spiritual belief system intact and get herself a lot of publicity at our expense," Mr Katter said in a statement.
The controversial federal MP is adamant that crocodiles need to be culled, much to the disdain of Terri Irwin.
Crocodile attack victim Cindy Waldron. Photo: Facebook
The debate on a crocodile cull was reignited in May when NSW woman Cindy Waldron, 46, was taken by a croc at Thornton Beach, north of Cairns.
The victim's father, Pat Waldron, insisted he did not want the crocodile harmed despite the heartbreak it caused the New Zealand family.
The 4.3 metre beast was eventually euthanised.
Queensland's Liberal National Party opposition on the weekend announced a crocodile management plan would form part of its policy before the next state election due in early 2018.
Ms Irwin said her late husband Steve Irwin had always encouraged an appreciation for the reptiles and humans needed to co-exist with crocodiles.
Mr Katter said Ms Irwin's comments were similar to asking humans to "move out" of their homes to make way for crocodiles.
Terri Irwin and her late husband Steve, "The Crocodile Hunter" holds a nine-foot female alligator at his "Australia Zoo" in Beerwah, Queensland. Source: AAP
Mr Katter slammed Irwin's 'greenie' approach towards crocodiles. Source: Getty Images
He also said the eco-cycle was being affected by the growing crocodile population in far north Queensland.
"The dingoes, the goannas and gropers. There was equilibrium in nature. If you are a respected naturalist you would know that this was the territory of man, not the territory of crocodiles," he said.
"The catch of 60 croc eggs would keep a First Australian family going for a while - and similarly with dingoes, the goannas and gropers.
"Now we have an unnatural environment and things are out of whack."
