NORTHERN TERRITORY NEWS (Darwin, Australia) 17 December 13 Croc captures down but monsters lurk (Megan Palin)

There has been a dramatic decline in saltwater crocodiles captured in Northern Territory waterways this year, according to a leading croc catcher.

Territory Wildlife Ranger and croc catcher Tommy Nichols, pictured, said it was "a good thing".

"It means there's probably less crocs in Darwin Harbour," he said.

So far, 221 saltwater crocodiles have been caught - mostly in croc traps - throughout the NT this year. That's compared with 319 captures in 2012.

Mr Nichols said a "bad wet season last year" caused river systems to dry out and more crocs to "take off elsewhere".

But many stayed behind.

The largest crocodile caught this year was a 4.7m saltie in the Mary River in August.

The largest caught in Darwin Harbour was a 4.25m saltie in February.

"The average size of crocodiles caught this year was about 2.4m," Mr Nichols said.

The smallest was about 20cms in a swimming pool at Howard Springs.

Mr Nichols said "there's been a few" hatchlings found in private swimming pools from Howard Springs to Bees Creek.

There are 26 crocodile traps in Darwin Harbour and Shoal Bay.

"We check and re-bait traps every week," Mr Nichols said.

"The last one we got was last Saturday arvo, a 4.3m (croc) in Hudson Creek.

"That was a very fat croc."

Salties were found in waterways as far south as Katherine and Borroloola. The captured crocodiles are moved to the NT crocodile farm.

Mr Nichols said people shouldn't become complacent.

"Where freshwater meets a saltwater system, there's always a chance of a saltwater crocodile," Mr Nichols said.

Darwin man Sean Cole, 26, was killed by a saltwater crocodile when he swam across the Mary River - one of the most heavily populated croc-infested waters in the world - on August 24.
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