Australia: In northern Australia, locals killed and ate a giant saltwater crocodile that had been terrorizing their village during a traditional festival. This 3.63-meter crocodile had moved into the Baines River, just 250 meters from homes, after floods earlier this year. It had been stalking and lunging at both children and adults and had reportedly taken several community dogs.
Following discussions with elders and traditional landowners in the Aboriginal community, police shot and killed the scaly predator on Tuesday.
Northern Territory police stated that, after consulting with Traditional Owners, Elders, community members, and Parks and Wildlife, the crocodile was shot to prevent it from continuing to pose a significant risk to the community. Parks and Wildlife also conducted an educational session about crocodile safety for children, providing them with an up-close look at the dangers present in local waterways.
After the crocodile was killed, it was transported to the nearby Aboriginal community where it was prepared for a feast in accordance with traditional practices.
Speaking to a public broadcaster, Northern Territory Police Sergeant Andrew McBride said the animal was “cooked into crocodile tail soup, barbecued, and some pieces were wrapped in banana leaves and cooked underground.”
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Sergeant McBride mentioned that it was a large traditional feast with many full bellies.
Commander Kylie Anderson stated that crocodiles can pose a significant risk to community safety. She thanked Parks and Wildlife, remote police staff, and residents for their seamless collaboration, ensuring the safe removal of the large saltie and maintaining community safety. She also remarked that remote policing is always eventful.
The Northern Territory has experienced a rise in crocodile sightings, particularly in its western regions, following recent flooding. The floods displaced many crocodiles, leading them to appear in unexpected locations.
Sergeant McBride explained that due to the immense amount of water that came into the area, crocodiles are appearing in locations where they wouldn’t normally be seen. Saltwater crocodiles can grow up to six meters (20 feet) in length, weigh up to a ton, and are known for eating just about anything.
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