THE AUSTRALIAN (Sydney) 07 November 06 300kg croc hauled from Darwin river
Five people were needed to haul a 300kg crocodile from a Northern Territory river popular with locals for water sports.
The 3.7m male saltwater crocodile was dragged from Howard River at Howard Springs, about 40km south of Darwin, early today.
"The male saltie was obviously the dominant male in the area and the signs are there he had been living it up during the past few months," said NT Parks and Wildlife Service senior wildlife officer Tommy Nichols.
"He's in really good condition, nice and fat, and certainly not too happy about being removed from the river."
Mr Nichols said five people were needed to get the croc out of the water and load it into the back of a vehicle that transported it to the NT Crocodile Farm at Noonamah.
Three female saltwater crocodiles have also been removed from the same area near during the past six weeks.
"After we caught the first 3.2m long female crocodile in late September we were confident a male crocodile wouldn't be too far away as it's that time of year when crocodiles are on the move and in search of breeding opportunities," Mr Nichols said.
"The next two crocodiles we caught in traps at Howard River were both 2.7m long females, so catching a male saltwater crocodile was inevitable."
Despite constant warnings, people were known to conduct water-based activities in the Howard River.
"So we are working hard in the interests of public safety," Mr Nichols said.
Almost 190 crocodiles have been removed from Darwin Harbour this year as part of the Darwin Harbour Crocodile Management Plan.
300kg croc hauled from Darwin river