In March, NT Parks and Wildlife pulled out two, almost-four-metre crocs from the gorge. 

Just last week, freshly baited traps near the centre of Katherine and just upstream near a popular swimming hole were both triggered catching four crocodiles. 

One of the traps hadn’t caught a saltie for almost two decades.

In past years, Katherine has only recorded about four crocodile captures in the entire season.

Our tally for the year so far is up to seven. 

Katherine Mayor Fay Miller said she is concerned that crocodile populations are increasing in popular tourist destinations where people swim. 

On board with culling crocodiles Mayor Miller is calling on the NT Government to start looking at a long term management plan. 

“NT Parks and Wildlife rangers are doing a great job at catching and trapping.

“But we went from culling many moons ago to nothing at all and we’ve seen a significant increase.

“It’s time for the government to start looking at control,” she said. 

Katherine Times also spoke to Katherine MLA Sandra Nelson who said culling is the “extreme” option, instead backing a croc-wise education program. 

“If the current management plan isn’t effective I would support culling,” she said. 

“I would like to thoroughly read through the management plan to see what other options are available first.” 

Ms Nelson said that the wild beasts add to the attraction of the NT.

“For a tourist I think it’s great, It’s not everyday you can go down a river and see a crocodile, you definitely can’t do that in other parts of Australia,” she said. 

NT Parks and Wildlife are especially concerned with people’s awareness around popular swimming spots in Katherine. 

Wildlife ranger Chris Heydon said that it is important to stay vigilant around water ways. 

“Don’t go swimming, it’s real simple,” he said.