Ranger Tommy Nichols says $5000 crocodile trap stolen from Tjuwaliyn – the Douglas Hot Springs was disappointing
Police and rangers are searching for a crop trap stolen from a Top End park, with authorities puzzled about why someone would take the monster trap.
Northern Territory
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A croc trap has been stolen from Tjuwaliyn – the Douglas Hot Springs.
Police and NT Parks and Wildlife are searching for the trap which is a permanent fixture at the hot springs.
The springs have been closed for three years, however the trap provides a safety measure to prevent crocs from heading upstream to Butterfly Gorge.
The hot springs are 200km south of Darwin in the Douglas-Daly region.
NT Croc Management ranger and veteran crocodile wrangler Tommy Nichols said the loss of the croc trap meant a trap had to be relocated to the hot springs.
”We’re down one trap and while it (the hot springs) is closed it is still a safety issue for crocs moving up to Butterfly Gorge and back down,” he said.
“It’s disappointing we’ve got to take a trap out of another area.”
He said the thieves cut the gate to the hot springs and took off with the half sized trap between August 17 and 24.
“Douglas Hot Springs is closed so he (the ranger) went down there to rebait it and the fence was cut,” he said.
He said it would have taken several strong people to lift the 100kg trap onto a trailer.
The half size trap cost around $5500.
He said he was unsure why someone would steal a trap but said it could be modified for many uses.
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He said the trap on the back of a trailer would have stood out to passing motorists. He asked anyone with information to come forward and contact police on 131 444/
The hot springs have remained closed since July 2019.
A poor wet season resulting in water table dropping below the bore’s intake level was blamed for its closure, however it has never reopened.
The bore was used to pump water to the facilities at the camp site.
NT Parks and Wildlife have previously stated consultation was required with Traditional Owners and the Northern Land Council in order to upgrade the water infrastructure at the camp.
Originally published as Ranger Tommy Nichols says $5000 crocodile trap stolen from Tjuwaliyn – the Douglas Hot Springs was disappointing
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