A relieved crocodile poses for a happy snapper!
Australia’s environment minister Peter Garrett has rejected plans that would have had Steve Irwin somersaulting in his grave! The Northern Territory government had planned for the introduction of so-called ‘crocodile safaris’ to keep crocodile numbers down.
However the minister stated: “I am of the view that safari hunting is not a suitable approach for the responsible management of crocodiles.�
Nevertheless he has increased the limit on numbers of eggs that can be harvested and on the number of crocodiles culled. The minister said it was to maintain the crocodile population and to cut down on the number of attacks on people each year.
The proposal came after 4 people were killed by crocodiles in March of this year. The Northern Territory government submitted plans for crocodile safaris that would enable paying tourists and trophy hunters to hunt and kill the creatures. However minister Garrett has confirmed that the plans would not now be approved.
Salt and freshwater crocodiles faced extinction in the Northern Territory when only 3000 remained after hunters were allowed unlimited kills. Since 1971 however, a federal law was passed that protected the animals and restricted the culling of crocodiles of up to 600 a year. There are now thought to be 80,000 saltwater crocodiles in the Northern Territory.
Crocodile products such as skin, teeth, skulls and meat are still exported from Australia each year within a strict management plan that minister Garrett says will ensure the population remains at a sustainable level. The plan will also allow for the removal of crocodiles that are seen as a threat to human population.
The Federal Governments failed to implement the proposals have not gone down well with the Northern Territory however. There the minister for parks and wildlife, Karl Hampton, said that crocodile safaris would have helped the indigenous community and that his government would “continue working toward approval for safaris in the future.�
But for now, at least, the crocodiles and the late Steve Irwin, can breathe a sigh of relief!
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2 Responses to “Crocodile Safari Plans Rejected”
Comment by Brandon — October 5, 2009 @ 10:56 am
Good to hear this isn’t happening- a few ridiculously stupid people went swimming in restricted swimming areas and were eaten, big deal, I thank the crocodiles for eliminating idiocy from the gene pool. And in one attack (on a child) the parents actually allowed their child to swim in a mangrove swamp- were the parents charged with child endangerment? Nope…they just whine about the crocodiles instead. These “hunters” are just cowards with guns….may the crocodiles continue to thrive in the beautiful Northern Territory!
Comment by master — August 30, 2010 @ 3:43 am
Now i understand why people say australians are stupid..human life is valued less than that of a stupid crocodile.Shame on australia