NT Ranger Association fundraising to bring Prem Shaktawat to Darwin
She has no training, and is armed only with a stick and a spool of rope, yet this ranger can take down a 5m croc. Read why NT rangers hope to bring her over to Darwin.
Northern Territory
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A conservation warrior who can take down man-killing beasts with a loop of rope and a stick could soon visit the Territory to learn from our own outback rangers.
The NT Ranger Association has launched a fundraiser to bring Indian ranger Prem Kanwar Shaktawat to Darwin in time for an international conference of croc experts.
The Rajasthan forest ranger has not yet tackled one of the Territory’s salties — but the mugger crocodiles that live around her community have their own nasty bite.
The freshwater crocs, which can grow up to 5m in length, kill several people in India each year.
Northern Territory Ranger Association spokeswoman Kristen Hay said Ms Shaktawat was able to handle the beasts armed with only a stick and ropes.
“She has very little training in handling crocodile and in managing human-crocodile conflict,” Ms Hay said.
Only last month Ms Shaktawat was honoured with an conservation award for saving and relocating more than 500 animals, including crocodiles, leopards, and snakes.
But the threats she faces are not just from animals with teeth, claws or scales — with Ms Shaktawat also stopping poachers from attacking the protected species.
Mugger crocodiles have been listed as a vulnerable species, with their shrinking habitat bringing them in contact and conflict with humans.
Ms Hay said the NTRA wanted to bring Ms Shaktawat to the Territory in time for the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Crocodile Specialist Group conference in Darwin from April 15-19.
Ms Hay said the experience would be an incredible opportunity to support Ms Shaktawat’s professional development, bringing the Territory’s croc management expertise back to India.
She said the rangers would also take their international colleague to get hands on experience with the crocodile management team.
Ms Hay said a fundraiser had been created to cover Ms Shaktawat’s flights, visa, conference and travel insurance, with the NTRA to host her during her visit.
“If enough money is raised the NTRA also provide equipment for her to take back to India,” she said.
To donate to help the NTRA bring Ms Shaktawat to the Territory visit fundraisers.thingreenline.org.au.
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