The Northern Territory (NT) government has unveiled a draft plan to address the management of its burgeoning saltwater crocodile population.

The Territory is seeking public input on potential culling measures over the next decade. 

Chief Minister Eva Lawler has highlighted the government's concern for the balance of crocodile numbers, noting a significant increase since the 1971 hunting ban which had previously driven the species to the brink of extinction. 

Crocs numbers are now estimated to have returned to about 100,000 in NT waterways.

The consultation aims to gather perspectives on managing these apex predators, which have been implicated in increasing human-wildlife conflicts.

“I grew up in the Territory and I remember swimming in lots of the billabongs and waterways in the Territory and across the Top End,” Lawler says. 

“But there are experts in the field that will provide advice to government around how we manage crocodiles … but when those numbers are at 100,000, I think that's at a level that we probably need to have a look at.”

The draft plan not only focuses on potential culling but also addresses the sustainability of the crocodile industry, worth approximately $25 million, and aims to ensure public safety without detrimentally impacting the tourism sector. 

Environment Minister Kate Worden says it is important to balance public safety with conservation efforts.

Critics of culling, including long-term Kakadu tour guide Dennis Miller and crocodile researcher Graeme Webb, advocate for the continuation of the current management strategy, citing its success in balancing ecological needs with human safety. 

The government's call for public consultation reflects a broader desire to refine its approach to crocodile management, considering the socio-economic and environmental implications of any changes to the current strategy. 

This initiative opens the floor to a wide range of stakeholders, from landowners and business operators to the general public.

More details are accessible here.