The image is of a Croc., that had to be killed in a creek near Bowen, Qld., a few years ago. An underwater demolition crew was working at a bridge in the area and this large Croc, that owned that river area, decided the men working underwater were prey. Explosives underwater worked for awhile but then it came back, watching and waiting for a chance. The workers thought it was gone after a 2nd explosion, but one of the crew looking over the barge they worked off saw its big head sitting under the barge. They called the Rangers who came, saw and said they didn’t have a cage large enough to capture it. Thus, it was killed for safety’s sake. Obviously, there are some big fellas around even in urban regional areas still…
In Aurukun, located on the western Cape York Peninsula, crocodiles are deeply intertwined with the traditional culture of the Wik, Kugu, and Thaayorre peoples. They serve as vital totems, characters in Dreaming stories, and symbols of strength, while traditional law dictates a respectful, cautious coexistence.
When I worked there many years ago – & regularly saw large Crocs on the boat-ramp at night – an elder told a story of the cattle they used to manage seasonally. Instead of building a corral/fenced area for the horses, they would swim them to a close island with water & grass etc. A small 10’ croc began swimming with them & never once touched men or horses as it grew to 18’ over 45+ yrs.
*Local Aboriginal knowledge dictates that crocodiles (often referred to locally as “minya” or by their specific language names) must be respected. According to traditional law, incidents with crocodiles are often viewed as a consequence of disrespecting the local community or surrounding waterways.
*Generational Knowledge: Elders pass down intimate knowledge of crocodile behaviour to younger generations. This includes understanding nesting habits, listening to the cues of the land, and knowing exactly when to stay away from the water to ensure the safety of the community…