It seems as if the wet season is only just starting to leave us and the days are staying warm well into the evening.

At any time of the year, our rivers can be inviting.

Crystal-clear rapids rush down into limpid pools.

Water lily flowers line pandanus-fringed banks, while rainbow bee-eaters keep a beady eye on the busy traffic of water beetles and winged bugs coming in for a drink.

We must never forget that we share our environment with many different creatures, and it is easy to become complacent about the dangers lurking in our waterways at this time of year.

Some of these are small and beautiful, like the rainbow fish that dart from under logs into sunlit spots to hunt.

Some are great to catch and barbecue over a fire on the riverbank in the evening.

Often, however, the animals that share our waterways are not as user friendly as these and need to be avoided at all costs.

Crocodiles are common in the Katherine region and we have a hard-working team of rangers who do their best to minimise the dangers posed by the reptiles by managing a series of crocodile traps when river levels are low.

As water levels rise, most traps are removed and monitoring for crocodiles becomes more difficult.  

Crocodiles move around at all times of the year and can move undetected through popular riverside locations and into our river systems.

We must maintain safe behaviour around crocodile habitats.

Keep away from the water’s edge – people have been attacked by crocodiles while standing on the banks of a river.

Always clean up fishing rubbish, as the smell attracts crocodiles from up to a kilometre away.  

Stay alert when launching boats and never reach into the water to remove or release your fish – always use a net or a gaff.

When you are camping, set up at least 50 meters away from the water’s edge, as crocodiles will move out of the water to check out an interesting smell.

Always keep your camp free of food refuse and take rubbish away with you.

Stay safe this dry season and remember to always, always Be Crocwise.