Crocodile capture and management

How crocodiles are caught

This page has information about how crocodiles are captured and managed in the Top End.

Capture and relocation of crocodiles

NT Parks and Wildlife uses crocodile traps, harpooning techniques and surveys to find and remove problem crocodiles.

Trained wildlife rangers capture more than 250 problem crocodiles each year. These crocodiles are transferred to crocodile farms or destroyed.

Trapped crocodiles can't be relocated due to costs and because they can travel large distances to return to their home range.

Find out more about how Parks and Wildlife manage crocodile captures in the Northern Territory Saltwater Crocodile Risk Management Framework 2021 - 2026 PDF (4.9 MB).

Crocodile traps

More than 80 crocodile traps are used in strategic locations across the Top End.

You can be charged with a criminal offence if you stand on, interfere with or damage a crocodile trap.

The maximum penalty is 50 penalty units or imprisonment for six months.

To find out about penalty units go to the Department of Attorney General and Justice website.

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