Conservation of crocodiles

Introduction

This guide is about the conservation of crocodiles in the Northern Territory (NT).

It includes information on taking crocodiles and eggs from the wildsaltwater crocodiles and freshwater crocodiles

If you want to keep a crocodile as a pet, you will need a permit.

Find out more information on how to Be Crocwise by reading crocodile safety.


Law protecting crocodiles

Saltwater crocodiles are protected in the Northern Territory (NT).

You can't take or interfere with a crocodile without a permit.

Permits may be given to ranger groups, shires or land managers to trap or shoot problem crocodiles where there is a clear need to do so and there is no other alternative.

You can't possess or trade in live or dead crocodiles, crocodile eggs or parts of crocodiles without a permit.

The saltwater crocodile management program PDF (2.0 MB) by the NT Government helps the NT use and look after these animals.

It aims for all of the following:

  • to maintain a large and healthy population of saltwater crocodiles living in their natural habitat
  • to promote the saltwater crocodile as a natural resource that has economic use and benefit if used sustainably
  • to respect the cultural values of saltwater crocodiles
  • to manage concentrated numbers in areas where there is a high risk to people, livestock and pets
  • to provide crocodile awareness and information in parks, reserves and conservation areas
  • to work with other government groups, business and industry to make Territorians and visitors aware of crocodiles
  • encourage everyone to be responsible in activities near the natural environment of saltwater crocodiles.

The saltwater crocodile management program is annually monitored and updated.

Read the NT Government's crocodile monitoring reports.


Saltwater crocodile conservation

The saltwater crocodile has gone from almost being extinct in the 1970s to now being widespread in large numbers so that it is not of any conservation concern. 

Saltwater crocodiles have ecological and cultural value, but they are also a management challenge due to different opinions on their place in the wild. 

They are spiritually important to some Aboriginal communities and a Territory icon, but they are also a dangerous predator. 

Use of crocodiles is managed by the Northern Territory Government to make sure it is sustainable for the long term. 

Permits to take eggs and crocodiles

Each year up to 70,000 eggs and 1,400 live crocodiles are allowed to be taken from the wild. 

You can get a permit to take eggs and crocodiles from the wild. 

You need to provide all of the following information if you have a permit to take live eggs:

  • details of when and where egg harvesting occurred
  • make sure the number of live eggs taken is within the permitted number
  • state the crocodile farm eggs are going to
  • annual returns stating the total number and number of live and viable eggs harvested. 

This information needs to be provided on 31 July each year that the permit is valid.

Find out more about permits to take or interfere with wildlife.


Freshwater crocodile conservation

The freshwater crocodile is found only in northern Australia, where it lives in rivers, lagoons and billabongs, largely upstream and away from the coast. 

Freshwater crocodiles have an important cultural value with residents and visitors.

They like sandy substrates in areas where river channels cut through escarpments and plateaus, and sands, loams and other friable substrate in freshwater wetlands. This reflects their need for soils to dig a nest-hole to bury their eggs.

Threats 

The current threats to freshwater crocodile numbers are poisoning by cane toads, the effects of climate change and displacement by increasing numbers of saltwater crocodiles. 

Climate change may become a more significant threat to crocodile habitat through changes in sea levels, hydrology and saltwater intrusion.

Harvesting freshwater crocodiles

The freshwater crocodile is protected in the Northern Territory (NT). 

A small number of freshwater crocodiles are harvested each year. 

The skins of freshwater crocodiles are less valued than those of saltwater crocodiles. 

The larger scale size and osteoderms (bone deposits) in the skin of freshwater crocodiles make them harder to use commercially.