Crocodile That Stalks Children, Adults in Australia’s Aboriginal Community Finally Caught and Turned Into 'Traditional Feast'

A crocodile, known for stalking, lunging at children and adults in northern Australia's Aboriginal community had been reported earlier this year following a massive flooding in the region. Since January 2024, the reptilian predator was seen emerging from floodwaters, terrorizing the town of Bulla.

Now, reports in recent days showed that the wild animal was finally caught and turned into a "traditional feast."

Crocodile Stalks Aboriginal Community

The animal, identified by local reports as a saltwater crocodile, also had a track record of targeting dogs in the community. The local Australian crocodile threat came to an end after local authorities shot and cooked the beast for residents in the area. The crocodile was barbequed and cooked to be eaten in the form of sliced meat chunks and soup for the inhabitants.

Despite the gunning down of the predator, authorities mentioned that wild animals started appearing in places where they have never been spotted before. For instance, the widespread flooding in the western region back in January allowed the stalking crocodile to move into the River Baines in Northern Territory, Australia.

Fatal Crocodile Attacks in Australia

Prior to the incident, crocodiles also threatened human populated areas in other parts of the country. Although considered by experts as "extremely rare," fatal crocodile attacks in Australia do occur.

Australia is not a stranger to fatal crocodile attacks on humans, based on recorded cases since the 19th century. Since the year 1867, Australia recorded a total of 27 confirmed fatal crocodile attacks, according to the Australian government agency Wet Tropics Management Authority. These attacks can be provoked or unprovoked, with the latter still occurring especially if a person is within crocodile territory.

While encounters with crocodile can be avoided, the expansion of humans into their territory such as mangroves, rivers, and swamps increase the risk, the agency reported. Particularly, the anthropogenic development of crocodile habitats, which have been the reptiles' home for millions of years, is a contributing factor for the said human-wildlife conflict.

Australian Crocodile Population

The size of saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is relatively colossal compared with other of its reptilian kins. Saltwater crocodiles live in freshwater environments, including lakes and rivers. However, some of these predatory animals have been spotted in shallow waters along coastal areas. In Australia, the population of C. porosus is estimated to be hundreds of thousands.

Based on official estimates from multiple sources, the saltwater crocodile population in Australia is between 100,000 and 200,000 individuals. Their population has been protected since 1969 but uncontrolled hunting decreased the crocs' number across Kimberley and Northern Territory state to less than 8,000 individuals, according to the Western Australian Marine Science Institution.

On the other hand, data provided by the IUCN Red List estimates that the total population of the Australian saltwater crocodile is more than 400,000 mature or adult individuals. The crocodile species also live in several countries across South Asia and Southeast Asia.