Huge 5m crocodile caught on camera at Shady camp

It's a timely reminder to stay safe on the water as one local sent in pictures of a monster 5m croc at Shady Camp

Local fisherman Orhan Yilmaz was out at Shady Camp and snapped the resident 5m croc in the mangroves. PICTURE: Orhan Yilmaz

It's a timely reminder to stay safe on the water as one local sent in pictures of a monster 5m croc at Shady Camp.

Orhan Yilmaz, 30, is a regular Top End fisherman and has seen the huge croc on multiple occasions around Shady Camp.

“I’ve seen bigger ones down in East Alligator but that’s the biggest one I’ve seen down at Shady Camp,” he said.

He said the pictures were taken a few days before last month’s controversial canoeing incident.

A man was photographed canoeing out to a dinghy ­anchored in the middle of the creek.

Mr Yilmaz said that he stayed safe when out on the water and wouldn’t ever hop into a small boat.

He said the croc pictured was one of two crocs that lurked in the area, the other is known to hang around the boat ramp.

Croc Expert Grahame Webb confirmed that the croc could be as big as 5m and was definitely a male crocodile.

In the image the croc’s stomach appears swollen and bloated.

Mr Webb said it could from a big feed or that the male saltie had taken in a deep breath.

“It could be pushed out by taking some huge breath, which extends the area and exposes more of the skin to the sun to warm up, or it could indeed be very fat,” he said.

NT Parks and Wildlife warned people to be vigilant when it came to crocs.

“Shady Camp is known for its high population of salt­water crocodiles and it is vital that people stay well away from crocs and exercise caution at all times,” the spokes person said.

“Remember the smaller the boat the greater the risk.”

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