Targeted cull backing

Focus on problem salties, scientist says

A SCIENTIST believes targeted culling of crocodiles in the Far North should be allowed to protect people from the dangerous reptiles.

Northern Territory-based zoologist Dr Adam Britton says the Queensland Government’s current crocodile management program is very similar to the targeted culling program in the NT, as both resulted in saltwater crocs being permanently removed from problem areas.

While the program allowed for culling of crocs in the NT, in Queensland, relocated reptiles are kept alive and taken to overcrowded croc farms or zoos.

“If you do targeted culling, which is what I support, the idea that you go out and remove problem animals from areas where there’s an elevated risk of attack on people, that’s something we’ve been doing for a long time and it’s been proven to be successful,” Dr Britton said.

An overwhelming 77 per cent of respondents to the Cairns Post’s Your Say on the Far North Reader Survey were in favour of a cull of the native animals under a croc management plan. Dr Britton, however, warned widespread culling would not ensure water user safety, as it was impossible to say whether a waterway was croc-free.

“Going into the Barron River and knocking off 50 per cent of the reptiles out of that river isn’t going to serve any purpose, because most of the animals in that river aren’t actually going to be a threat to people, anyway,” he said.

“So what you’re basically doing is leading people into a false sense of security about removing about half the crocodiles from the Barron River.

“Of course the next question is going to be, ‘can we go swimming now? Is it going to be safe?’ And you can’t ever say that.”

The Palaszczuk government has ruled out introducing a croc cull, also saying it would endanger lives by lulling people into a false sense of security.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland chairwoman Wendy Morris said it was time to put in place a realistic, considered plan for croc management in Queensland.

“The current approach is simply not working for our community, as indicated by the increasing frustration of many,” she said.

She said a single human encounter with a croc had enormous ramifications for the region’s economy.