Snap decisions: NT bites back at pet croc crackdown
As Victoria moves to ban pet crocodiles, one part of the nation is making it easier than ever to keep the deadly predators in suburban backyards.
Andrew Fahey has a pet named Louis Vuitton that certainly knows how to test the waters.
“He’s pinged me a few times and if he bites me again he’s gonna end up a handbag,”
Mr Fahey, a New South Welshman who headed to the NT for “the lifestyle” says. Being able to have a pet crocodile was a major drawcard for him.
While the Victorian Government moves to ban pet crocs, the NT Government is trying to make having one in your backyard simpler and safer than ever.
So what’s the attraction?
“We’ve had cats before, snakes and that, but if I have a pet croc I don’t have to go down to the river and wait to spot one in the wild,” Mr Fahey, from Palmerston told news.com.au.
“I’ve got one in the backyard so I can sit there in the arvo and have a beer and watch him do his thing.
“With the fish tank set up you can see how he sits under water, it’s different to watching them out in the wild, you get to see them submerged, what they do under water, it’s really cool.”
Louis is 40cm long. Once he grows another 20cm he will be “moved along” to someone with a permit on a rural property.
Mr Fahey was instrumental in overturning the previous government’s “blanket ban imposed without consulting anyone”.
“I rallied the new government and said how stupid the policy was and they agreed to overturn it.”
Mr Fahey said appreciating crocs was something important to Territorians.
“Only rarely do I get him out of the tank to handle him, I would rather watch him do his thing. They are incredible animals,” he said.
“He gets aggressive at feeding time, I had two in the tank but they’d strike when you came near them so now I have one.
“When we are cooking a chicken or a meat dish we get the cut offs and cut them into cubes, sprinkle them with vitamin powder ad calcium powder and usually feed them with tongs and they go straight for it,” Mr Fahey said.
“The good thing is when you go away on holiday, dogs and cats rely on someone to feed them but these guys, if you give them a good feed they’ll be right for a week or two on their own.”
Mr Fahey is one of 63 Territorians already licensed to keep 123 crocs.
Now, the Government is inviting residents to have their say on new safety and welfare
guidelines.
Minister for Parks and Wildlife Marie-Clare Boothby said the proposed regulations in the
Dangerous Animal Guideline: Crocodiles as Pets focused on animal welfare, biosecurity and public safety, to ensure this important part of the Territory’s unique lifestyle continued to thrive.
“If you’ve ever wanted to own a pet saltwater or freshwater crocodile, there’s only one place to do it – right here in the Northern Territory,” said Ms Boothby.
“We promised Territorians a say on pet crocs, and that’s exactly what we’re delivering.
“We’re backing responsible pet ownership by cutting red tape and making it easier than ever for Territorians to safely keep a pet croc.”
Ms Boothby said the Territory’s crocodile culture was unmatched anywhere in the world – a
tourism drawcard, an economic driver, and a proud symbol of Territory identity and spirit.
“Crocodiles are the ultimate Territory icons. People travel from across Australia and the world to see them, whether it’s on a jumping croc cruise, swimming in the ‘Cage of Death’ or Crocodylus Park,” she said.
“After Labor scrapped pet crocodile permits in 2024, our Government made a commitment to restore that right – that’s why one of the first things I did as Minister for Parks and Wildlife was to bring back the right to own a crocodile, because we said we’d restore our unique Territory lifestyle.”
Originally published as Snap decisions: NT bites back at pet croc crackdown
