The search for missing grey nomad Elaine Maxwell has come to a halt after authorities scoured the South Alligator River last week.
It is feared Ms Maxwell, 61, was taken by a crocodile or drowned while camping at the river’s boat ramp in Kakadu.
A spokeswoman for the Northern Territory police said police were still investigating all avenues in an attempt to locate the woman. They have already conducted unsuccessful chopper, quad bike and foot searches.
The ABC says it has now been reported that rangers were trying to catch local salties and sedate them to check their stomach contents for signs of the missing woman.
“She could have been taken by a croc,” said Senior Sergeant Roger Illet of Jabiru police. “It is known that there is a resident crocodile around the boat ramp,”
The crocodile is about 3.5 to 3.8m long.
The fast-flowing river is also known to swell with seven metre high tides that could sweep away anyone in the water.
Ms Maxwell, who was travelling alone, was last seen camping next to her vehicle at South Alligator boat ramp car park on Friday, February 24.
The alarm was raised when hers Nissan four-wheel-drive appeared to have been abandoned.
Police originally believed Ms Maxwell was a West Australian woman, given she was driving a vehicle with WA number plates, but it has since been confirmed that she is from Tennant Creek.
