Crocodile attacks occur because people ignore basic safety rules.
Crocodiles should be respected in their natural habitat.
| Crocodile attacks are not frequent, however they do occur from time to time, mainly when people let down their guard and do completely stupid things - like swimming in waterholes where crocodile warnings have been posted!
Attacks by crocodiles can be avoided. Ignore these signs at your own peril.
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Saltwater Crocodiles (crocodylus porosi) reach 6 to 7 meters in length when mature and are the cause of all known fatal crocodile attacks in Australia. These crocs, known locally as 'Salties' are common in all coastal tropical areas of Australia and throughout much of South-East Asia.
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Saltwater Crocodile |
The smaller Johnstone River Crocodile ( crocodylus johnstoni ) has only been the cause of one or two crocodile attacks and has only ever caused relatively minor injuries. These crocs, 'Freshies', are found in freshwater waterholes, billabongs and river systems.
Since they have been protected from hunting, the numbers of crocs has increased dramatically and because they are not hunted they have no fear of man. A debate has been raging at the highest political levels as to whether limited hunting should be allowed. So far the "no" vote has the numbers, however it is possible this will change in time.
Increasing numbers of crocs also means they are all under pressure from a bigger neighbour with an eye on their territory. Crocodiles themselves are very wary of crocodile attacks! As they are quite capable of travelling overland and swimming at sea for considerable distances, no water near the coast can ever be considered permanently crocodile free. Traps are placed in strategic places to limit their numbers near populated areas and large numbers are caught and taken to local crocodile farms.
If you are travelling in any coastal areas in the northern half of Australia, be careful, use common sense and seek local advice if you are not sure. A safe way to get close to these predators is to visit a crocodile information park , or take one of the excellent guided tours on offer from Darwin or other northern cities. | 
Crocodile Attack |
Following is a list of recent reports of crocodile attacks. It is not an exhaustive list, however hopefully it will give you a sense of the reality of living or touring in areas populated by the worlds largest predator. As the local joke goes "You're safe from sharks while swimming here because the crocodiles ate them all." July 9 2006, Blythe River
An eight year old girl who went to the river for water was taken by a crocodile and is feared dead.The girl was fishing with her family in the Blythe River between Maningrida and Ramingining when the attack occurred about 8.30pm (ACST) yesterday, police said. October 26 2005, Melvile Island
Mike Butler and friends felt a bump in the night as they were watching a video on his catamaran on the Johnson River.
Mr Bultler said "We went outside thinking the mooring buoy was hitting the hull, and there was this great big crocodile stooging around the back of the boat.
"When we got up in the morning he'd obviously been back, and ripped the sh** out of Paul's engine cover on his dinghy. The croc had also got high enough out of the water to put scratches on the catamaran hull and bite marks on top of the engine.
"We were on a big boat, so we didn't have fears for ourselves, but we did away with the outdoor showers after that!" October 3, 2005, Doubtful Bay
A 10-year-old girl from Busselton, W.A. was on holidays in the north of Western Australia and went for a swim early afternoon. A crocodile attacked her and caused serious injuries to her arms and upper body. Because of the remoteness of the area she was not flown to a hospital but a helicopter airlifted her to the nearest cattle station, to be treated by a doctor flown in from elsewhere. September 24 2005, Groote Eylandt
A 37 year old Briton working at the Gemco mine in Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory, disappeared while snorkeling on a Saturday afternoon with a friend at Picnic Beach, a popular spot just south of Umbakumba. When his body was found later about a kilometre away, his injuries indicated he had been mauled by a crocodile. SEPTEMBER 2005: Darwin man Russell Butel, 55, taken off the Cobourg Peninsula, NT Novenber 2003, Blyth River
A 19 year old Manuel Pascoe was attacked by a 3m crocodile which lunged from the water, grabbed his leg and tried to drag him into a local creek. He had been hunting geese near the Blyth River east of Darwin and it is possible the croc was attracted by blood from the dead birds he was carrying.
Fortunately the croc let go when Manuel's aunt, Margaret Rinybuma, punched it in the snout. September 2003
A freshwater crocodile attacks a man swimming at a popular plunge pool. It is most unusual for a freshwater crocodile to attack and fortunately they only grow to about 1.5 m
The man escaped with puncture wounds on his chest and cuts on his hand.
Kakadu National Park warns tourists against swimming at any of the water holes in the park, which is inhabited by up to 10,000 crocodiles. Generally speaking, waters on or near the sea, particularly any tidal areas, are not safe. Although Salties are usually inhabit coastal areas, inland waterways should not be automatically considered safe for swimming. A study in the Northern Territory by Mike Letnic of the University of Sydney (Wildlife Research, vol 33, p 529) has found salties up to 235 kilometres from the sea.
There are many natural safe swimming waterholes in the Northern Territory and these are monitored continuously by Park Rangers to ensure no unwanted hungry guests sneak in. Some popular places include Berry Springs, Wangi Falls, Bluey Rockholes, Howard Springs and Florence Falls. Beaches in the Darwin area are protected by crocodile traps all around the city and harbour area.
Click here to return from Crocodile Attacks to Crocodile Adventues.
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