Crocodile culling is set to be expanded in the Top End, in response to rising concerns about the apex predators. But a mother whose daughter died in a crocodile attack near Darwin says culling isn’t the solution, and experts agree.
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00:00 Charlie Noosulvin has coped with the death of her daughter 15 years ago by taking crocodiles
00:08 head on, starting a small farm to sell skins and crocodile products.
00:13 There is a lot of things that we do in Brioni's memory. The name of our farm is in her memory.
00:19 Brioni was 11 when she was taken by a crocodile while swimming in a water hole near their
00:24 home 60 kilometres outside Darwin.
00:27 It's still very traumatic and it's still very deep seated in our hearts.
00:30 Her death prompted the NT government to start very limited culling and removing crocodiles
00:36 from Darwin harbour. But her mother doesn't support its plan to expand culls.
00:42 I think that's going to be giving a false sense of security.
00:45 Leading Australian and overseas experts have told an international crocodile conference
00:50 in Darwin more culling won't work.
00:53 Culling as a means of improving public safety is not going to work.
01:00 When crocs are removed from their territories, others move in.
01:04 And then that's potentially an unsafe situation. It's sort of drawing in other male crocodiles.
01:11 Experts instead advise more public education.
01:14 The real challenge is often actually human behaviour.
01:18 And more resources to keep tourist spots advertised as croc-free clear.
01:24 If the government says you can swim in that place, they've got to be sure.
01:28 Some remote area traditional owners want more aggressive crocs removed.
01:33 Three people got taken by a croc in our region from the last 10 years.
01:39 As crocodile numbers grow, both experts and those already affected are warning all top
01:45 end waterways should be considered croc country.
01:48 Understand where you are. Take an informed decision on whether you're going to put yourself
01:54 in harm's way or not.
01:55 Wise words from a mother who knows.
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