Croc sighting startles swimmers in Katherine hot springs

Swimmers who should never have been in the springs were evacuated by police after an alleged croc sighting.

Swimmers at Katherine’s Hot Springs were evacuated from the water after what is thought to be a crocodile was spotted. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Swimmers at a popular Top End tourist destination got a fright, as a saltwater crocodile was allegedly sighted in the water with them.

Police were called in to evacuate the Katherine Hot Springs on Wednesday afternoon after the croc was apparently sighted in the water with swimmers, who reported seeing what was described as a “tail splash”, and something large swimming through the water.

The Springs were supposed to be closed, but Katherine Town Council said swimmers had removed the closed sign and chain barring entrance to the Springs, and between 20-30 swimmers had been reported at the site over the Easter long weekend.

A spokesperson for the council said a crocodile had been sighted at the nearby Low Level nature reserve swimming spot on Wednesday, and a miscommunication had seen a council worker and police arrive at the Hot Springs by mistake, only to encounter the distraught swimmers who also claimed to have seen a croc.

A government spokesperson said the Katherine Wildlife Operations Team had made crocodile warning signage available to the council, and would continue to assist in monitoring the waterway.

“The Northern Territory Government maintains a robust crocodile management program, but ultimately how you behave around crocodile habitats is your responsibility,” the spokesperson said.

They warned that any body of water in the Top End could contain crocodiles, and urged Territorians to remain “Crocwise”.

The Katherine Town Council has urged residents and holiday-makers to avoid the Springs until council surveys determine that it is safe for swimming.

“It’s closed for a reason,” a council spokesperson said.

They told the NT News that the council’s surveys had been disrupted by rainfall, and a survey of the hot springs had already been scheduled for Wednesday night when news of the incident broke.