NEWS.COM.AU (Sydney, Australia) 15 July 05 Croc safari makes dollars and sense (Rebekah Cavanagh)
A leading croc expert said yesterday that crocodile safari hunting in the NT would be "a wonderful idea".
"I'm a strong supporter of it (the concept)," Crocodylus Wildlife Park owner Grahame Webb said.
Mr Webb said only animal rights extremists did not support the idea. He said managed crocodile safaris would have economic benefits for Territorians.
"If you make conservation profitable then you'll have everyone supporting it," he said.
He said some people would pay "big bucks" for the privilege of taking home a croc trophy.
"You can score up to $5000 for one croc," he said.
"If you've got 10 crocs in your farm swamp that are eating your cattle, you are going to kill them anyway -- just imagine the money you could make,' he said.
The punishment for illegally killing one of the Top End's 70,000 crocodiles is a fine of up to $55,000 for an individual and $275,000 for a company - or up to five years' jail.
Croc safari makes dollars and sense