“We live with these creatures daily. They are getting bigger and bolder and affecting the way we live our lives.”
DEAN YIBARBUK

Graeme Webb with John Daly at Crocodylus Park

The Northern Land Council has backed a Northern Territory Government proposal to trial a limited crocodile safari hunting program on Aboriginal land.

But only on one condition, according to NLC Deputy Chair John Daly: that there is a clear commitment made to provide traditional owners with an active role in such a program.

“It is important to remember that Aboriginal landowners are the major owners of most wetland areas that crocodiles inhabit in the Top End, and their cooperation will be essential for any safari hunting proposal to succeed,” Mr Daly said.

The proposal, to remove 25 animals over four metres in length, would fit within the existing management plan quota that allows for 600 crocodiles to be legally removed annually for their skins in the Territory.

Mr Daly is keen for Aboriginal people to pursue more than just “passive benefits” from outside hunting operators.

“Aboriginal people have been hunting crocodiles in a sustainable way for thousands of years and this is yet another opportunity for us to play to our strengths, to build up independent economic bases in our remote communities,” he said.

Not everyone though is thrilled with the idea. Animal conservation groups have labelled the concept unnecessary and inhumane.

World renowned researcher and owner of Darwin’s Crocodylus Park Dr Graeme Webb disagrees.

“Crocodiles are large and dangerous predators, that make some other ‘pests’ pale into insignificance, ” Dr Webb said.

“The wild crocodile population was on the brink of extinction in 1971, and is now some 60,000 to 70,000 strong - completely rebuilt,” Dr Webb said. “Crocodiles are spread through every river, creek and swamp in the Top End of the NT, and the NT’s conservation program wins the balance of local public support. A remarkable achievement in the eyes of the world.”
Mr Daly, Dr Webb, and others propose that a pilot scheme be introduced and that the scheme be conducted on Aboriginal land.

“There are existing Aboriginal organisations with significant expertise in crocodile hunting and harvesting which could be allocated safari licences,” Mr Daly said.

Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation at Maningrida and Murwangi Community Aboriginal Corporation at Ramingining are two locations that have indicated their willingness to participate.
“We live with these creatures daily. They are getting bigger and bolder and affecting the way we live our lives,” said Dean Yibarbuk, Senior Ranger with Bawinanga’s Djelk Community Rangers.

“Why shouldn’t we be able to benefit financially from crocodiles if we share our country with them?”

Bill Fordham, Manager of Murwangi Station, is another who runs the gauntlet each day when carrying out his daily functions. He believes the time is right to trail a program of this nature.
“We are having trouble here now crossing these creeks with our horse,” Mr Fordham said. “We came across a fairly big croc on one occasion. My horse wouldn’t go in, the other fellow’s horse snorted at the water and this big croc took off. He was waiting right at the crossing for us to go in, in about two metres of water.”

In separate submissions sent to the Federal and Northern Territory governments on 5 February in response to the NT Government’s Draft Management Plan for saltwater crocodiles, the NLC clearly indicated that the crocodile safari hunting proposal fits in well with the multiple land-use philosophy of Aboriginal people.

Federal Environment Minister David Kemp is the man in the hot seat. A decision on whether or not to allow the proposal to go ahead was expected to be made sometime in March.