4 to 5m crocodile launches into boat, attacks group of night fishermen in Kakadu

A huge croc that lunged into a boat, injuring a NSW fisho last weekend is just one of three narrow escapes tourists have had with crocs in Kakadu in the past fortnight, park officials say.

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A HUGE croc that lunged into a boat, injuring a NSW fisho last weekend is just one of three narrow escapes tourists have had with crocs in Kakadu in the past fortnight, park officials say.

Kakadu rangers are searching for a large crocodile which lunged into a boat, injuring a man from NSW who was fishing with mates on the South Alligator River on Saturday, April 24.

There has also been two other incidents of aggressive crocodile behaviour reported to Kakadu National Park in the past fortnight.

A croc at Cahill’s Crossing left the water and chased three women up the bank on April 21.

Locals reported that a crocodile went halfway up the bank on the Arnhem Land side of the river then it looped around to grab a large fish off the sand bank before returning to the water.

On April 17, two fisherman reported a large crocodile approached their vessel while they were fishing on the South Alligator River and started chasing two captured fish

They said the crocodile lifted its head and neck out of the water to look over the gunwale of the boat.

During a second run in with the croc late that day, it bit the railing of the boat while they were fishing at the mouth of Crab Creek.

The men warned other fishers in the vicinity about the crocodile and left the area immediately.

In the most recent croc attack, four mates had been fishing at night time on the South Alligator River when a 4m to 5m crocodile lunged out of the water and into their boat.

It’s understood the croc came into contact with the chair one of the men was sitting on and injured the man.

The man presented to the Jabiru Health Centre for minor injuries.

The injured man, aged 32, hails from Wollongong, and was treated for his wounds but has since being discharged.

The group was in a Haines Signature vessel. According to their Instagram page, which has almost 10,000 followers the group of mates regularly head out on fishing and hunting adventures.

The page, @southcoastadvenures, shows the mates enjoying the beauty of Kakadu, Bitter Springs and even a helicopter tour.

It is understood the group stopped to cook dinner near the banks of Mud Island when the crocodile attacked.

Kakadu National Park rangers are now scouring the river for the crocodile, a Parks Australia spokesman said.

“Kakadu National Park Compliance and Wildlife Operations Team is searching for the crocodile involved in the incident,” the spokesman said.

“The Kakadu National Park Crocodile Management Team conducts night and day crocodile surveys in the region to monitor crocodile activity, numbers and behaviour.

“Crocodiles exhibiting aggressive behaviour are captured and assessed before being relocated. “Consultation with Traditional Owners takes place before a decision to destroy a crocodile is taken.”

The spokesman said safety at the park was taken very seriously and urged all visitors to brush up on their crocodile safety knowledge.

“Kakadu National Park encourages all visitors, especially when near waterways, to be crocwise and to familiarise themselves with the safety information on the Kakadu National Park website,” the spokesman said.

Crocodile expert Dr Adam Britton said it was “very unusual” behaviour from a crocodile.

“I don’t have the details of how it managed to bite the seat, it’s an incredibly usual event, when they see you in the wild they stay away,” he said.

He warned people to stay away from crocs and to report any unusual behaviour displayed by crocodiles to rangers.

He urged fishos to have respect for the powerful creatures when out on Territory waterways.