Hundreds of problem saltwater crocodiles for sale in new NT Government tender

As many as 800 ‘problem’ crocs are likely to be removed from the wild and sold to the industry over the next three years, a new tender document has revealed. Read what happens to the iconic reptiles.

All manner of wacky and weird things can be found for sale in the Territory, but it’s not everyday a saltwater snappy is one of those.

The Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security is currently seeking interest from “appropriately qualified and experienced organisations or individuals” to purchase hundreds of problem crocodiles captured across the Territory over the next three years.

That number could reach around 800 salties, with NT Government data indicating 272 were captured in the Darwin removal zone in 2021 alone.

Chief wildlife ranger Peter Ross said the tender was a continuation of a longstanding arrangement between the department and the croc farm industry, which has been in place for about 25 years.

“Usually the contract comes up for renewal every 36 months,” Mr Ross said.

“It provides the industry with potential products and provides the government an efficient means to deal with crocodiles removed.

“The overwhelming majority are processed for meat or animal parts.

The crocs sold from DEPWS might also be used by contractors for breeding. Picture: Franchi Michael

“The number captured is potentially 300 crocs per year, which I suspect is higher than any other state in the world where saltwater crocodiles live.”

Mr Ross said problem crocodiles are defined not by size but by their proximity to urban areas and their behaviour.

“Any croc that has or may potentially attack a person, or stock, or through its behaviour poses an unacceptable risk, is a problem crocodile,” he said.

“Immediately after their capture, they’re transferred to the contractor.

“Only the crocs captured in really remote areas, where it’s simply not humane to transport them long distances, are destroyed.

Wildlife Ranger Luke McLaren, who's part of the crocodile management team, helped capture a 3m saltwater crocodile in Darwin Harbour in 201. Picture: Isabella Moore

“This number is only a handful – the overwhelming majority are able to be taken by the industry.”

The average length of the crocs, over the four-year dataset, was 2.5m.

Mr Ross also said the number of crocs captured jumps up and down year to year, with many captured during the wet season – the reptiles’ breeding season.

So, how much does the buyer need to cough up for each croc?

Mr Ross said that figure is kept under wraps, with the contractor to make a ‘price per croc’ offer when submitting their interest for the job.

“The contractor must take those crocodiles that are captured, up to the agreed number, regardless of the quality of the skin,” the tender document reads.

There are an estimated 100,000 saltwater crocodiles living in the Territory wild. Picture: Tourism NT/Jewels Lynch

Earlier this October, a 2.2m male saltie was found ambling around Knuckey Lagoon, an outer suburb of Darwin.

Other populated areas that have been subject to recent crocodile sightings include Manton Dam, Casuarina Beach, Butterfly Gorge and Nightcliff Jetty.

Darwin residents confronted by a croc in the suburbs or elsewhere should phone [phone].

Those in Katherine can ring 0407 958 405.

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Originally published as Hundreds of problem saltwater crocodiles for sale in new NT Government tender