Close to 200 crocodiles captured in Australia

Yahoo News 23 Dec 09;

SYDNEY (AFP) – Almost 200 predatory saltwater crocodiles have been removed from waterways around Australia's northern city of Darwin this year for the safety of residents, an official said Wednesday.

Rangers picked up 196 of the deadly reptiles in Darwin and elsewhere in the Northern Territory, with the largest a 4.9 metre (16 foot) male, regional director of Conservation and Wildlife Brett Easton told AFP.

"Once captured they are taken to a crocodile farm where they live a long and lazy life," Easton said.

As part of its crocodile management programme, the government has been removing the "salties" from waterways near residential, recreation and swimming areas. Last year 190 were removed.

Easton said some of the animals were found close to where people live, including in stormwater drains and swimming areas.

"In the Northern Territory we all live fairly close to water and saltwater crocodiles are not unusual in our waters," he said.

He said heavy rainfall and flooding in the wet season allowed the crocodiles, believed to number 80,000 in the country's north, to move more freely and inhabit areas they would otherwise avoid.

Two people, including a young girl, were killed in crocodile attacks in the Northern Territory this year.