Early wet season to bring out more active crocs across the Top End

THE early onset of the Wet this year could soon see big crocs on the move across the Top End, an expert says. It comes after rangers say a massive 360kg saltie they recently trapped near Katherine is easily their biggest crocodile catch of the year.

THE early onset of the Wet this year could soon see big crocs on the move across the Top End, an expert says.

Professor Grahame Webb from Crocodylus Park said crocs would be becoming more active as the weather heated up.

“If we get early rains this year as predicted, you’ll see a lot more of movement from those big crocs,” he said.

“Early rains means the wetlands will fill early, their nesting will start early and more eggs.”

It comes after rangers trapped a huge 360kg saltie near Katherine on Friday.

Park rangers John Burke and Chris Heydon with a captured croc. Picture: NT Parks and Wildlife / Facebook

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Senior wildlife ranger John Burke said the 4.4m male croc was caught at the Flora River Nature Park, 120km away from town.

“The water levels have been low here so crocs haven’t moved around much, they’ve stayed in the water holes where they are,” he said.

“Judging from the colouration of this croc, he’s been holed up along the Flora River for quite some time.

“A croc of his size would have easily been the boss around these parts.”

It comes after croc of similar size was caught on video hauling a cow carcass about 25km from the Katherine bridge last year.

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The croc is estimated to be about 50 years old and will be taken to a nearby croc farm for breeding.

He’s the biggest croc caught in Katherine since a 4.7m, 600kg croc was caught near the town in 2018.

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