Giant saltie treated like ‘a part of the family’
A GIANT saltie called Nike has been snapped looking right at home with locals at a beach in East Arnhem Land.
Territory photographer Aaron Avila took the spectacular shot — which shows a man spearfishing in nearby waters while the 4m croc sunbakes on the beach — during a recent Lirrwi tour to the Yolngu homeland of Bawaka with Tourism NT.
“When he was only a few weeks old, Nike was caught in ghost nets and rescued by the locals here,” he said.
“They kept him in the kitchen sink before being released back into the wild.
“He has called Bawaka home ever since and is seen as part of the family of the local community.”
Mr Avila said Nike was named by Olympic gold medallist Cathy Freeman after she visited Bawaka a few years ago. Up until then he was called Baru, which is the Yolngu word for crocodile.
“The interactions we saw with Nike on our visit was only one of many brief tangible insights into how deep the connection is with everything in Yolngu culture,” he said.
“It was a privilege to be able to experience it first hand.
“It’s so much more than just a sightseeing experience.”