Litchfield rangers pull 3.6m croc from trap, warn Territorians to Be Crocwise

Top End wildlife rangers pulled a monster croc from a popular national park. Find out how big the beast was, and why its capture is a lifesaving warning.

A huge catch of the day serves as a warning to Territorians to Be Crocwise.

NT Parks and Wildlife rangers pulled a 3.6m croc from a trap in Litchfield on Friday morning.

The rangers said the “big boy” was a reminder to stay out of the water if it is closed for swimming.

“High water levels in the Wet Season make it easier for crocs to move into areas undetected,” they wrote in a Facebook post.

“Please obey all closure signs and always Be Crocwise.”

Several popular swimming sites are currently closed, including Buley Rockhole, Cascades lowers section, and Butterfly Gorge National Park.

Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife rangers removed a 3.6m croc from a trap in Litchfield. Picture: Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife

The monster catch follows a recent incident in Marlow Lagoon, where a 1.2m saltie was pulled from a popular dog walking spot.

A 2.9m croc was also pulled from Faith’s Lagoon.

The Crocodile Management Unit caught 277 saltwater crocs in 2022.

Wildlife ranger Jaylen Marshall said last year’s biggest catch was a 5.1m saltie in the Finnis River.

“That was one of the biggest, but also, I’d say a 4.5m out of the harbour as well, one of the biggest ones this year,” he said.

“Those sorts of crocs are the bigger ones you’d expect to see, you don’t really see those every day.

“When you do see those, you’ve got to be very wary.”

[e-mail]

Originally published as Litchfield rangers pull 3.6m croc from trap, warn Territorians to Be Crocwise