Sally Sara: The death of a 12-year-old girl taken by a crocodile near a remote Indigenous community in the Northern Territory has prompted MPs and scientists to rethink how to better protect the public. While the NT's politicians say they want to do more to reduce crocodile numbers, one of Australia's leading scientists says that will not work. Jane Bardon reports.
Jane Bardon: The 12-year-old's family reported seeing a big black crocodile in the Mango Creek where she was swimming just before she disappeared near their community of Palumpa on Tuesday afternoon. NT Police Sergeant Erica Gibson says her remains were found in the river 350 kilometres southwest of Darwin.
Erica Gibson: It was particularly gruesome and for the family it is the most devastating outcome. They are in a state of extreme shock and disbelief.
Jane Bardon: Community members and West Daly local councillors have told the ABC they're too devastated to comment yet. Crocodile numbers have soared in the NT since hunting ended in 1971, increasing from an estimated 500 adults to 100,000 now. The death has reignited questions over whether more can be done to safeguard the public. The NT government has already toughened its response. In April it increased culling from 300 to 1,200 crocodiles a year. Chief Minister Eva Lawler hopes that will reduce numbers.
Eva Lawler: In the Budget 24 there was about another $500,000 but we do need to see our crocodile numbers reduced or maintained.
Jane Bardon: Opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro thinks it's not enough but wouldn't commit to more money if the CLP wins the August election.
Lia Finocchiaro: More investment needs to be made into crocodile management, closer workings with our park rangers, our Aboriginal ranger groups to make sure that we are managing the growth of these populations.
Jane Bardon: But one of Australia's most pre-eminent crocodile researchers, Professor Graham Webb, thinks the targeted cull program now is adequate and the NT government should instead focus on more community education. There is a CrocWise public safety campaign, including in local languages.
Jane Bardon: Grahame Webb thinks the NT government should fund Indigenous ranger groups to help.
Professor Grahame Webb: Using those people as an extension of the CrocWise package seems to me a very practical thing to do.
Jane Bardon: Professor Webb believes more government funding for research into crocodile movements is also needed.
Professor Grahame Webb: If we don't know what the crocodiles are likely to do, we're still going to have the same problem.
Jane Bardon: Can we cull our way out of this threat?
Professor Grahame Webb: Culling is not going to solve the problem. When these events happen, it's a tragedy for the people involved, but it should be looked at as a warning. You can't afford to be complacent with crocodiles because they're used to waiting for you to make a mistake and if you get complacent, you'll make a mistake.
Sally Sara: That's Professor Grahame Webb talking to Jane Bardon.