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Crocodile cull ruled out in response to Northern Territory killing Crocodile cull ruled out in response to Northern Territory killing
(25 days later)
The Northern Territory government has ruled out a crocodile cull after the killing of a Darwin IT worker by a saltwater crocodile on Saturday.The Northern Territory government has ruled out a crocodile cull after the killing of a Darwin IT worker by a saltwater crocodile on Saturday.
Sean Cole’s body was recovered from the Mary river on Sunday after a search during which a crocodile was shot by a police officer. It’s unclear whether that crocodile was the one that attacked 26-year-old Cole.Sean Cole’s body was recovered from the Mary river on Sunday after a search during which a crocodile was shot by a police officer. It’s unclear whether that crocodile was the one that attacked 26-year-old Cole.
Cole and a friend decided to swim across the river during a birthday party at the Mary River Wilderness Retreat, which is about halfway between Darwin and Kakadu national park.Cole and a friend decided to swim across the river during a birthday party at the Mary River Wilderness Retreat, which is about halfway between Darwin and Kakadu national park.
Cole, who was originally from Katherine, NT, was killed by the crocodile at about 3pm on Saturday.Cole, who was originally from Katherine, NT, was killed by the crocodile at about 3pm on Saturday.
Erin Bayard, manager of the Mary Wilderness Retreat, told Fairfax that Cole and his friend had ignored warning signs and verbal reminders from staff not to swim in the Mary river, which is known for having one of the highest concentration of saltwater crocodiles on Earth.Erin Bayard, manager of the Mary Wilderness Retreat, told Fairfax that Cole and his friend had ignored warning signs and verbal reminders from staff not to swim in the Mary river, which is known for having one of the highest concentration of saltwater crocodiles on Earth.
''When you get here, you are told there are crocs, that the river is full of them,” she said. “Don't swim. Stay at least 5m back from the river. If people follow that advice, it is entirely safe. We have never had an attack before this.”''When you get here, you are told there are crocs, that the river is full of them,” she said. “Don't swim. Stay at least 5m back from the river. If people follow that advice, it is entirely safe. We have never had an attack before this.”
Ian Macdonald, a Coalition senator from Queensland, told Guardian Australia that he supported a cull of crocodiles – but only in certain areas.Ian Macdonald, a Coalition senator from Queensland, told Guardian Australia that he supported a cull of crocodiles – but only in certain areas.
“I’m a conservationist, but when the question is either the life of a human being or the life of a crocodile, the human wins every time,” he said.“I’m a conservationist, but when the question is either the life of a human being or the life of a crocodile, the human wins every time,” he said.
“I’d certainly want the removal of crocodiles in areas that are principally inhabited by human beings. But I understand this unfortunate incident happened in a fairly remote area. Crocodiles do have their place and I think most Australians understand you have to be careful in those areas.”“I’d certainly want the removal of crocodiles in areas that are principally inhabited by human beings. But I understand this unfortunate incident happened in a fairly remote area. Crocodiles do have their place and I think most Australians understand you have to be careful in those areas.”
Dr Grahame Webb, an NT crocodile expert, told Guardian Australia that there were about 20 times more crocodiles in the territory now compared with 1971, when saltwater crocodiles were officially protected.Dr Grahame Webb, an NT crocodile expert, told Guardian Australia that there were about 20 times more crocodiles in the territory now compared with 1971, when saltwater crocodiles were officially protected.
“Everyone is saying: ‘How can this happen? What led to a young guy swimming the Mary river?’ ” he said.“Everyone is saying: ‘How can this happen? What led to a young guy swimming the Mary river?’ ” he said.
“It’s a bit like if you decided to have a picnic in the middle of the Pacific Highway in Sydney. There is a lot of education and planning here; it’s as professional as you’ll get anywhere in the world.”“It’s a bit like if you decided to have a picnic in the middle of the Pacific Highway in Sydney. There is a lot of education and planning here; it’s as professional as you’ll get anywhere in the world.”
But he added, “Things occasionally still go wrong, usually involving locals and misadventure.”But he added, “Things occasionally still go wrong, usually involving locals and misadventure.”
A report on Cole’s death will now be prepared for the coroner.A report on Cole’s death will now be prepared for the coroner.
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