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Alexander Dudley | all galleries >> Aussie reptiles >> Crocodiles (Crocodylidae) > Estuarine Crocodile or Ginga
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31-AUG-2002 Alexander Dudley

Estuarine Crocodile or Ginga

Ngurrurrujdba Kakadu National Park, NT

You can't have someone who has spent time working in Kakadu post a gallery without just one picture of a crocodile! Crocodiles
have lived alongside people in Kakadu for thousands of years, and the larger Estuarine Crocodile (sometimes misleadingly known
as a saltwater crocodile) is the largest predator living in the waters of Kakadu. These creatures are known locally as Ginga and
as they are culturally significant animals feature in many local stories. Occasionally (surprisingly occasionally, given how
stupid people can be) they include human beings as part of their diet. These animals were nearly hunted to extinction in the
1950's and 60's, and are only now recovering to their natural levels. Unfortunately this means that territorial disputes are
becoming more frequent and large crocodiles are dipersing into areas where they haven't been seen for decades, including
popular tourist "swimming spots". To protect the public and reduce the risk of being sued to bancruptcy, park Management are
now closing some of these areas as the risk is regarded as too great. And really, Kakadu is a cultural landscape, not a swimming park.

This animal measures about 4.5 metres.

Nikon Coolpix 5700
1/539s f/5.7 at 52.4mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Naila 11-Dec-2011 05:37
Wonderful comments! We forget too easily that our planet is for sharing and it isn't our God-given right to take over their habitats.