Locals rein in troublesome croc

The 4.5m saltie hauled out of the town billabong at Gunbalanya.

TRADITIONAL owners removed a 4.5m crocodile from the town billabong at Gunbalanya early on the morning of Thursday 3 July.

The crocodile had reportedly been taking dogs and cattle. Its presence at a popular fishing spot in the billabong had been described by one local as “a recipe for disaster”. 

Witnesses have also reported large crocodiles fighting over territory in the area.

Two people have lost their lives to crocodiles in the West Arnhem region this year, with a 12-year-old boy taken at Mudginberri Billabong on 26 January and a 62-year-old man at South Alligator on 7 June.

The croc was trapped by the local cattle station and meatworks, Gunbalanya Station. The croc meat will reportedly be shared amongst the community.