Butterfly Gorge closed to swimming after crocodile sighting
A Top End tourist attraction has been forced to close to the public for the second time this dry season. Find out all the details here.
Northern Territory
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A possible saltwater crocodile sighting has closed a Top End tourist attraction for the second time this year.
Butterfly Gorge, a water hole in the Douglas Daly region located a two-and-a-half hour drive from Darwin, is closed to swimming while NT Park Rangers and the Crocodile Management Team investigate the suspected sighting.
“There has been a reported sighting of a crocodile at Butterfly Gorge,” a Department of Environment Parks and Water Security spokeswoman said.
“The gorge will be closed while crocodile management is undertaken.”
The spokeswoman said it was possible it was the same crocodile sighted in June.
“Crocodiles can move in and out of areas undetected - the warmer weather means crocodiles will be active and on the move. It is important to always be croc-wise.
The Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security runs the Crocodile Management Team.
It has asked tourists to report any sightings.
“If you see a crocodile, please report it to the Crocodile Management Team with the location, time sighted and estimated size,” she said.
“If you’re able, safely take a photo, as this will help the team determine if it is a saltwater or freshwater crocodile.”
The gorge was closed just days after it opened for the dry season back in June after tourists spotted a 2m saltwater croc in the area.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security said it was the first time a crocodile sighting had been recorded in Butterfly Gorge.
It took rangers more than two weeks to reopen the water hole located in the Douglas Daly region.
So far this year, 186 crocodiles have been captured, including 49 in Shoal Bay and upper harbour, 40 in the management zone, 28 in the lower harbour and five in Katherine.
In January a 4m crocodile was captured in Woods Inlet, just 8km from Darwin CBD.
Crocodiles have also been sighted this year along the Nightcliff Foreshore and Casuarina Beach.
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