A serious spike in the number of crocodiles in Western Australia’s Kimberley region has got authorities worried.
Just last week, a male 2.87-metre saltwater crocodile was removed from the Port of Broome slipway. Two beaches and the slipway were closed as the reptile was in a risk area, which extends south of Willie Creek to Fall Point, near Crab Creek and including Cable Beach.
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) has now launched a croc awareness campaign to warn grey nomads and other visitors – as well as locals – about the dangers.
‘Be Crocwise’ projects include the installation of safety signs, hosting stalls at community events, and using social media and advertising to tell people what to do in crocodile risk areas.
“It appears not only the number but also the size of the individual animals is increasing so it is a timely reminder about the presence of crocodiles in the Kimberley and to be crocwise,” said DBCA Parks and Wildlife Service Kimberley regional manager, Daryl Moncrieff. “It is important to remind people of the dangers when people are out camping, fishing, boating and swimming in the Kimberley, which is a known crocodile habitat.”
He warned that it was a myth that estuarine crocodiles only lived in saltwater, and that they could be found in freshwater habitats far from the coast, such as rivers and billabongs.
Of course, the presence of crocodiles is something that people across the north need to be constantly aware of. Just yesterday, it was announced that a 79-year-old woman from an aged care facility near Port Douglas in Queensland may have been taken by a crocodile.
I mentioned on this site a few weeks ago – there are more Crocodiles now than at any time since white civilisation – More people are moving into their traditional areas and they have zero fear of people (even the littlies) – there has to either be a serious culling program by indigenous Rangers or there will be further fatalities.
I totally agree we lived in the Kimberley in the late 70’s and crocodiles weren’t really a problem. Now you can’t go near any water way up there without seeing the beware of crocodiles sign.