Crocodile assassination

[JPA Cate]

Hi, guys,

This is just a reminder, really. Local people already know to be wary of saltwater crocodiles in this area.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/australia...084332353.html

The greenies vs. the people who don't want the risk in their own back yard--well, it is a real issue.

Ann

[danielamartindm]

While they're smaller and nowhere near as aggressive as salties, Florida has anywhere from 1.3 to 2 million alligators, one for every 10-15 residents. They too are protected, but you have to ask yourself do we really need so many alligators? Southern Florida also has crocodiles (but fresh water), and for some reason they attack people hardly at all. Nature is certainly fascinating.

[deblen]

The crocs only eat 2 humans per year?
Need more greenies in that river
Len

[Wanderlust]

An interesting take on the Greenie mentality of most journalists.

I have seen a few articles on this and they all predict an increased agressiveness of younger crocodiles now that the boss is gone. The unstated message is that the croc killer has done everyone a disservice and the river will now be less safe.

But the first article I saw
Shooting death of 'iconic' crocodile creates power vacuum in Queensland river: authorities - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

had an additional quote from the same DEHP official ....

"If this iconic crocodile had been reported to us, officers would have immediately taken steps to remove it, in accordance with the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan."

Err .... isn't that going to have the same effect with the younger crocs as killing it? That quote is conveniently omitted from later articles.

[Wotname]

^^ yep, never let the facts get in the way of a story...

[LongRange]

It is the crocodile's natural habitat. Those who don't like crocodiles should not purchase property in the area, and they certainly should not shoot crocodiles (or any other wildlife) of their own volition. In Australia that is illegal, and it is environmental vandalism in any jurisdiction.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Hi, guys,

This is just a reminder, really. Local people already know to be wary of saltwater crocodiles in this area.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/australia...084332353.html

The greenies vs. the people who don't want the risk in their own back yard--well, it is a real issue.

Ann

It's a seriously real issue if it is one of those sex-crazed Crocs you keep warning us about.

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by danielamartindm

While they're smaller and nowhere near as aggressive as salties, Florida has anywhere from 1.3 to 2 million alligators, one for every 10-15 residents. They too are protected, but you have to ask yourself do we really need so many alligators? Southern Florida also has crocodiles (but fresh water), and for some reason they attack people hardly at all. Nature is certainly fascinating.

Actually, it's legal to hunt alligators in Florida. Yes, there are rules and regulations but it's fairly common and the main reason is, there are enough that they are no longer endangered and they become a nuisance.

The Crocs in Florida are still very rare and not the same as Ausie Saltwater Crocs. They don't attack people very often because there are very few.

Alligators are actually far less aggressive towards large land prey. Given an easy catch, they will take a human but they don't actively hunt them like Salt Water Crocs will.

My take on it is the Ausie Salt Water Crocs are reaching a point like the Florida Gators where controlled hunting starts to make sense to mange the population.

[aclmck]

Originally Posted by LongRange

It is the crocodile's natural habitat. Those who don't like crocodiles should not purchase property in the area, and they certainly should not shoot crocodiles (or any other wildlife) of their own volition. In Australia that is illegal, and it is environmental vandalism in any jurisdiction.

Problem is , croc's are moving south where there wasn't any 20 -30 years ago, most Aussies don't want them gone but we do want them controlled , it was always a given that croc's were in waters north of Cairns on the east coast now they have migrated south to Hervey Bay about 1000 K's. If they are not controlled there habitat was as far south as mid coast of NSW a couple of hundred years ago. this will have an effect on millions of people, the tourists etc
even diving on the Barrier Reef will be an issue with them unmanaged. now it won't worry some people but it will others, No-one is condoning the shooting of these animals, many have in the past found themselves in lots of trouble for doing so, but the vast numbers now need to be controlled, the "greenies" are a minor amount of the population but have a big say in what happens here in Australia, just look around at the gas shortages and the excessive energy costs in Australia right now.

Like all governments worldwide the Australian governments are slow to react to the needs of the people's so some just take matters into there own hands, we have some fascinating policies though if someone gets hurt or killed by any animal then that animal is usually put down by the authorities.That said if the croc's are not properly managed many people doing what they normally do will be put at risk.

[LongRange]

Originally Posted by aclmck

Problem is , croc's are moving south where there wasn't any 20 -30 years ago, most Aussies don't want them gone but we do want them controlled , it was always a given that croc's were in waters north of Cairns on the east coast now they have migrated south to Hervey Bay about 1000 K's. If they are not controlled there habitat was as far south as mid coast of NSW a couple of hundred years ago. this will have an effect on millions of people, the tourists etc
even diving on the Barrier Reef will be an issue with them unmanaged. now it won't worry some people but it will others, No-one is condoning the shooting of these animals, many have in the past found themselves in lots of trouble for doing so, but the vast numbers now need to be controlled, the "greenies" are a minor amount of the population but have a big say in what happens here in Australia, just look around at the gas shortages and the excessive energy costs in Australia right now.

Like all governments worldwide the Australian governments are slow to react to the needs of the people's so some just take matters into there own hands, we have some fascinating policies though if someone gets hurt or killed by any animal then that animal is usually put down by the authorities.That said if the croc's are not properly managed many people doing what they normally do will be put at risk.

Mate, I'm Australian, and I have a reasonable grasp of our geography

The news stories say this shot croc was found 20 km North of Rockhampton. That is croc country, and always has been. Some p*ssed idiot decides to shoot an animal which is more than 50 years old just because he can. That has nothing to do with government policies, or global warming, or tourism, or "greenies".

I hope they find him (or her) and levy that $28K fine.

[aclmck]

Originally Posted by LongRange

Mate, I'm Australian, and I have a reasonable grasp of our geography

The news stories say this shot croc was found 20 km North of Rockhampton. That is croc country, and always has been. Some p*ssed idiot decides to shoot an animal which is more than 50 years old just because he can. That has nothing to do with government policies, or global warming, or tourism, or "greenies".

I hope they find him (or her) and levy that $28K fine.

I agree the person responsible needs to be held account,

I grew up in Mackay in the 70's no signs of Croc's there then, none south of there either, so No it was not always croc country, but I agree it is now, what I said was that many people have lived in areas ,some for more than 50years and croc's were never in the waterways then, but are now That is why we need proper management.

[El Pinguino]

Assassinated? I guess it must have been involved in Queensland politics .... looks the type..

They are moving south because of the increase in available food supplies...

They will not, however, get south of the NSW border....


'Cos the Great Whites will eat 'em ..

[tp12]

Greenie's are not to blame for gas shortages and the price of energy in Australia; that's a Govt policy (or lack thereof) issue.

I'm 41 and grew up on the Goldy and I don't recall crocs as far south as Mackay. They've been protected for some time now so perhaps it is a good time to look at controlling the population. I'd be keen to understand what the current plan is.

[aclmck]

Originally Posted by tp12

Greenie's are not to blame for gas shortages and the price of energy in Australia; that's a Govt policy (or lack thereof) issue.

I'm 41 and grew up on the Goldy and I don't recall crocs as far south as Mackay. They've been protected for some time now so perhaps it is a good time to look at controlling the population. I'd be keen to understand what the current plan is.

Croc's south of the Boyne river (Gladstone south)are to be relocated to farms etc

croc's in the area in question are trapped if causing a problem and moved some (very few are ever shot only those taking a life)

Ok I should not have used the term Greenies , but protesters are causing many issues and are getting govt to even change decisions (look at the issues Metgasco had in Casino last year) gas is in so short supply in Sydney right now.

[tp12]

What I'd be interested in are the population monitoring measures and what thresholds they have for making changes to the existing relocation etc responses.

Gas regulation is a Govt problem; we have very large gas supplies and should have cheap prices but domestic gas prices are lower than what can be achieved overseas and the Govt has let enough of our gas go overseas for it to now need a regulatory/legislative response. This has been allowed to happen over some time because there's been a vacuum of clear direction and policy regarding energy. It's been a political football for a long time.