ABC News (Australia) published this video item, entitled “Crocodile shot and killed after man hospitalised in attack at waterfall | ABC News” – below is their description.
The crocodile that attacked a man at a popular Northern Territory swimming spot has been euthanised and removed from the area, according to the NT’s parks department.
A 67-year-old man is recovering at Royal Darwin Hospital and remains in a stable condition following the attack at Wangi Falls on Monday.
It’s believed the man was bitten by the crocodile, and has injuries to his arm and back.
North Australian Parks rangers have since shot and removed the crocodile they believe to be responsible for the attack.
It was then taken to a property in Darwin’s rural area to be processed.
Roger Matthews, who has been working as a crocodile catcher for 30 years, is contracted by the NT’s Department of Parks and Environmental Wildlife Services to process all male crocodiles caught in the Darwin region.
The crocodile believed to be involved in the Wangi Falls attack was taken to Mr Matthews’ property in Darwin’s rural area for processing, where he has a marquee butcher shop set up in his backyard.
Mr Matthews estimated the 2.4-metre saltwater crocodile was five to six years old.
Unlike females, most captured male crocodiles measuring over 2 metres are killed and their bodies used for other things.
The flesh is sold as pet meat, the skulls are maintained with “museum-quality”, skins are made into belts, handbags or shoes, and the fat is used to make soap.
“We try to utilise every part of the animal, avoid any wastage,” Mr Matthews said.
Mr Matthews also offered to gift the crocodile’s skull to the victim.
“If the poor fella is interested, we’ll do the skull up and gift it to him, bit of a memento of the Northern Territory experience.”
“I hope he’s doing well, it would be a frightening experience”.
Mr Matthews said he had processed 94 crocodiles in the past four months, all captured from waterways like Darwin Harbour, Berry Springs, and other national parks.
He said it hadn’t been a particularly busy season.
“It’s no different to any other year, it’s probably on track with how many they would get at this stage of the year,” he said.
“They are everywhere, they have the ability to move anywhere … [Rangers] try to mitigate with traps and all manner of things, but sometimes one will slip through.”
Mr Matthews said it was very common for saltwater crocodiles — like the one caught on Monday, which tend to be larger and more aggressive than freshwater crocodiles — to make their way into fresh waterways.
“Just because they’re called saltwater crocodiles, the majority you will find in the fresh water,” Mr Matthews said.
Mr Matthews said this attack served as an important reminder.
“In the Top End … you take your life into your own hands if you swim in a creek or waterway that isn’t patrolled,” he said.
“Where this [crocodile] bit someone, it is patrolled and it is trapped, but it shows how things can get in.”
ABC News (Australia) YouTube Channel
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