Nine-year-old boy attacked by crocodile in Kakadu National Park in recovery

The condition of a young boy who was on Saturday attacked by a crocodile while he was swimming in Kakadu National Park has been made known.

On Wednesday NT Health confirmed the nine-year-old was in a stable condition, four days after the crocodile attack. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

A nine-year-old boy who was left fighting for his life after a crocodile attack is now in a stable condition.

The young boy, who had been swimming in Kakadu National Park, was rushed to Royal Darwin Hospital on Saturday after being attacked by the prehistoric hunter.

CareFlight NT said the young boy was taken to the Jabiru Community Health Centre, before being flown to the emergency department in Darwin at around 9pm in a critical condition.

It is understood the child was taken to the intensive care unit, with his family by his side.

Four days after the attack, NT Health confirmed on Wednesday the boy was now in a stable condition.

There are about 10,000 crocodiles in Kakadu National Park, which accounts for 10 per cent of the Northern Territory’s croc population. Picture: Nakita Nia.

The Federal government is responsible for saltwater crocodile management in Kakadu National Park which is home to about 10,000 crocodiles, 10 per cent of the Northern Territory’s croc population.

The most recent census found there were 315 people living in Kakadu – meaning that for every person there were 32 crocs.

The NT News understands the incident occurred near the historic site, Munmalary Homestead, which sits on the flood plains between the South Alligator and East Alligator Rivers, within Kakadu National Park.

A Parks Australia spokeswoman said the child had been swimming in an area “not accessible to the general public”.

After a 67-year-old man was attacked by a 2.4m saltwater croc at Wangi Falls in July last year, the NT Government committed to hold a review of its crocodile management plan for Litchfield National Park.

They asked the Federal Government to do the same for Kakadu.

At the time, the then Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said over the past 50 years the Territory’s crocodile population had gone from around 3000 reptiles to over 100,000.

In July Ms Fyles said traditional owners would need to be consulted but said she understood some communities were being impacted by the apex predator’s bigger population.

“It’s extremely scary and it does have an impact,” Ms Fyles said.

The most recent census found there were 315 people living in Kakadu — meaning for every person there were 32 crocs. Picture: Che Chorley

“We’ve got crocodiles looking for different areas and so they’re pushing further into spaces where they perhaps haven’t been before.

“It impacts on traditional owners and impacts on their ability to go out on country and undertake cultural activities.”

Ms Fyles’ commitment for a crocodile review also came two months after a 19-year-old Groote Eylandt teenager was bit by a 5.4m beast while fishing with his brother and cousin near Malkala Outstation.

When asked about the status of any Federal review of crocodile management, or attempts to capture the crocodile who bit the child, Parks Australia said it “will not be making any further comment in relation to this matter”.

The NT Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security said reviews of both the Litchfield National Park croc strategy and the 2021-26 NT Saltwater Crocodile Risk Management Framework were still being finalised.

“(It) has focused on consistency across all regions and ensuring public safety is the top priority,” a spokeswoman said.

“This initial review will guide internal, site-specific procedures where in-water activity is permitted on parks and reserves.”