The Far North Queensland guide turning crocodiles into superstars on the ancient Daintree River

A former Sydney carpenter’s connection to an ancient Far North river system has grown so deep that dozens of crocodiles now recognise his voice. WATCH THE VIDEO

CROCODILES, one of the most prehistoric creatures known to man.

Most people are petrified of them, and for good reason. One snap and a roll into the deep and you can cancel those dinner plans forever.

But for wildlife expert David White, the opposite is true.

Daintree River wildlife expert David White, of Solar Whisper Crocodile and Wildlife Cruises, with his trusty dog Dougie. PHOTO: Mark Murray

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He’s developed such a kinship with these “misunderstood” dinosaurs that dozens now recognise his voice on his daily trips up-and-down the Daintree River.

“You definitely get to know them and their individual traits,” he said.

“They are understudied and very secretive animals and, like us, they have different personalities.”

‘LOOK, THERE’S A CROC’: TOURISTS IN AWE OF SALTIE

He is now turning massive salties into superstars on the ancient river system, forming bonds that are unexplainable even to some government researchers.

One croc, named Gump, was relocated to a crocodile farm in Mareeba after getting a bit too close to approaching boats.

Mr White paid the farm a visit weeks later, with the animal emerging from her pen the moment he called her name.

Bruce the crocodile guards her nest on the Daintree River after recently having hatchlings. She recognises the voice of resident wildlife expert David White. PHOTO: Mark Murray.

“Unfortunately the media hysteria does make people fear them, and that fear can turn to hate, and then people want to kill them,” he said.

“Clearly they can be very dangerous, but you do see a nurturing side.”

Take Bruce, a “blonde” female croc that has been loyally guarding her nest since November, for example.

She had 22 hatchlings last month and can still be seen protecting her babies – something incredibly rare for crocodilians.

Crocodile hatchlings lay on top of each other on the Daintree River during a cruise with resident wildlife expert David White. PHOTO: Mark Murray

“She has been an amazing mum,” Mr White said, as he pulled his boat within metres of her.

“We think it’s her first time.

“There is no way you would get this close in a different boat, but she knows me.”

Then there’s Scarface, the 4.7 metre “king of the river”, whose epic battles with Big Nick are becoming legendary.

Mr White’s crocodile soap opera “Days of the Daintree” has gathered a huge online following and includes regular cameos from Scuter, Lizzie, Nate, Dusty and Margaret.

Scarface, the king of the Daintree River, allows resident wildlife expert David White. to get closer than the average guide, with the animal also recognises his voice. PHOTO: David White.

“Giving them a character and educating people that way can help remove the stigma surrounding crocs,” he said.

“People respond to it.”

Mr White, 58, was a carpenter fitting out commercial buildings in Sydney before the wilds of the Far North called 32 years ago.

He said swapping the Sydney Harbour for the Daintree Rainforest was the best decision he ever made.

“I have to pinch myself out here sometimes,” he said.

“We need to look after our crocs, they are a passion of mine.

“They just happen to be something most people don’t like.”

Originally published as The Far North Queensland guide turning crocodiles into superstars on the ancient Daintree River