Daly fishos share shock after crocodile apparently slain on Daly River

A slain 3m crocodile has prompted a warning that the beasts are protected. See the vision.

Anglers at the Daly River on Saturday were saddened and shocked by the site of a slain saltwater crocodile.

The estimated 3m saltie was bloated and laying on its back about 25km down from the

Daly River public boat ramp.

It appeared the apex predator may have been shot.

With thousands of Territorians leaving the jurisdiction for interstate to celebrate Christmas and the new year, boat traffic on the Daly was light, an angler told the NT News.

The dead crocodile on the Daly.

The saltie was first spotted by anglers at about 9am and as the tidal river filled, the dead animal became gradually submerged.

Penalties of up to five-years imprisonment can be applied in the Territory for interfering with protected wildlife.

Parks and Wildlife Minister Marie-Clare Boothby responded to an image of the dead crocodile, saying most Territorians know the rules around killing or harming protected species.

“They are a protected species and Territorians mostly know that they can’t be going out there and doing that,” Ms Boothby said.

“I highly condemn the situation if it was in fact the shooting of this crocodile.

“There’s laws in place that if people that kill crocodiles are found and convicted there are hefty penalties.”