KATHERINITES are being urged to remember that below average saltwater crocodile capture numbers do not mean the reptiles are not lurking in waterways across the region.
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The message comes on the back of Parks and Wildlife Commission NT statistics that show just four animals have been trapped in the four Katherine River management zones in 2015 so far.
In 2014, 12 ‘salties’ were caught in the same region as part of a whopping Northern Territory total of 287, up more than 26 per cent on the previous year’s result.
Katherine’s crocodile management team began its 2015 campaign by removing a 3.5-metre animal from the Novus Quarry stretch of the Katherine River on April 22, but the traps have been noticeably empty since rangers helped capture a 3.75m “problem croc” on Victoria River Downs in June.
The big male was removed from a trap at the junction of the Wickham and Victoria rivers, and had been spotted taking cattle.
PWCNT media manager Edwin Edlund said it was crucial that people did not associate low capture figures with an absence of saltwater crocodiles, adding that numbers had the potential to increase as the build-up approached.
“We always urge the public to Be Crocwise in and around Top End waters,” he told the Katherine Times.
“Heed all warning signs, and just because a sign is not present, does not mean a saltwater crocodile is not.
“As the weather and rivers warm up, it’s likely the 2015 figure will increase before the end of the year.”
When asked if rangers had been able to pinpoint a cause of the 2015 capture numbers, Mr Edlund explained that multiple factors – including disappointing wet season rainfall and a dry season cold snap – could all play a role.
“The number of saltwater crocodiles vary from year to year and can be influenced by several factors, including the previous wet season’s rainfall and cool, dry weather during the dry season.
Mr Edlund said traps would remain in place as the animals became more active.
“Traps are normally in place from about May to November each year,” he said.
“We anticipate the saltwater crocodiles will be on the move due to increased temperatures and humidity, and, therefore, the likelihood of them moving into traps is increased.”
