PALEIF:

It is not the fact that the problem is created by our "love of crocodiles" but by our lack of recognition that these creatures were here long before us and of the inherant dangers posed by them, however they are entitled to share this planet accordingly. Man dose NOT have the right to exterminate everything he considers to be a threat!

We all have enough ( or should have enough ) brains to realize the dangers lurking in most of the world`s tropical waters and should excercise the commonsense and caution required accordingly.

Look at the trauma wrought by Bluebottle Jellyfish, Stonefish, Sharks etc upon the human participation in sharing these rivers and oceans with these potential killer species,.....BUT let us not lose sight of the fact that the human being himself has been responsible for the MAJORITY of human fatalities on this planet throughout history!

I believe that if a professed "extinct" carnivorous Dinosaur were to be discovered "surviving" in some faraway isolated place on the planet, man`s immediate response would be to kill it, as it would be envisioned as a monster that eats people, so Destroy, Kill, Eradicate!

I believe in live and let live!....and if people are silly enough to take stupid short-sighted risks in dangerous waters, then they must be prepared to suffer the consequences!

I quote a famous statement by the late Albert Einstein:
"Two things are INFINITE,....the Universe and Human stupidity,...and I am not sure about the Universe!"

Col Rouge: << ...those who generally stand upright and carry the heavy burden of environmental management >>

I don't suppose Col would like to nominate a part of Australia that has been well-managed in environmental terms? It seems to me that the quality of "environmental management" in Australia has declined markedly since about 1788.

GrahamY

Thank you so much for raising this thread. It has encouraged me to learn a little more about the Aussie croc market. And silly me, believing that a troublesome croc would be taken to a farm to live out its life. No indeed not for it is slaughtered almost immediately and sold to the highest bidder except for one or two to keep the tourists amused.

The harvesting of the croc is indeed a lucrative business but it appears that many are disgruntled at the current allowable quotas.

“There ’s very little waste from the crocodile, that ’s for sure, ”says John Hannon from the Lagoon Crocodile Farm in the NT. “People even make back scratchers out of the claws. If you go to some of the souvenir shops you might see them on the end of a piece of dowel. Akubra buys a lot of our off-cuts. There ’s a back strap that runs down the back of the crocodile which is used to make belts.

"And the off-cuts from the back strap are often used for hat bands for Akubra hats."

The Hannons have developed a niche market for their first-grade skins with the prestigious French fashion house, Hermes. For over 30 years, Hermes has been producing a particular handbag called the ‘Kelly ’bag (after Grace Kelly) which retails for US$15, 000.

“We ’d also like to get an AQIS [Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service ] licence so we could sell our crocodile meat direct to the European market." Said John Hannon.

“There is now a marketing wing of DPI who are trying to look at helping the industry in terms of marketing our product,”

Lo and behold, the Department of Planning and Industry are performing research on “hatching to harvest,” “skin preservation,” “pelleted feed” and commercial development of export for the “emerging skin markets.” Of course marketing research doesn’t stop with our crocs.

The DPI are also are looking at potential markets for our frogs and turtles!

contd.....

Contd.......

The EPA Qld advises: "The crocodile farming industry is evolving rapidly and it is inevitable that stock-handlers will encounter circumstances not covered by this code.

"Farms generate interest in crocodilians and their conservation and, in the right location, tourism can make a substantial contribution to farm income.

"However, developing a farm to accommodate visitors will incur significant additional expenses and will also have a cost in terms of animal stress and production.

"Therefore, it is recommended to open only part of a farm to visitors."

Good idea EPA. We can't have the kiddies traumatised by witnessing the slaughtering methods your department recommends:

“ The use of lethal drugs is uncommon because they are expensive and may render the meat unfit for human consumption.

“Mechanical stunning instruments, traditionally used in livestock slaughter, are not recommended for use with crocodiles.

“Shooting is capable of causing the minimum of disturbance and stress both to the individual.

“In some circumstances, other crocodiles do not appear to notice that any management activity is taking place. In all cases, the spinal cord should be severed once an animal is removed from the enclosure.

"The other mechanical method commonly used, the ‘nape-stab’, involves the physical restraint of the crocodile and, usually, its removal from the rearing enclosure. Wet, heavy material is placed over the animal's eyes and its head is lowered in a downward position to extend the neck vertebrae.

"A sharp chisel-like implement is then quickly forced between the base of the skull and the first spinal vertebrae, severing the spinal cord, in order to ensure that the animal is unconscious.

"It is then essential that a rod of about 3mm diameter (ideally stainless steel) be used to probe and totally destroy the brain (pithing).

"It is an advantage to skinning if the spinal column is destroyed similarly, preventing local reflex actions.”

Graham. Has your opinion been influenced by the commercial and economic viability of slaughtering our native animals?

Graham,

Sharks or crocodiles - you go into the water, you takes your chances .

Just a bit more fun and adrenalin in the bush around those beautiful rivers and waterholes .

Hey kids, better look out for that king brown!

Cuphandle,
I dont have a problem with Crocs personally, but I do think everyone should consider those who do live near Croc waters.
I can assure you they have moved into areas where it was once safe to swim.
Last year I was talking to a local while looking a croc in the eye. He was telling me about the old days and the towns history.
Described how hard it was to get the kids to school because unlike him they couldnt just swim accross the river anymore due to crocs. Its was a stinking hot day and these children had nothing to do and nowhere to swim.
Thats simply not fair on the local people. He said he couldnt let the kids play out back anymore either.
Snakes were there in plenty also
I just wonder how long all you people would cry leave the Crocs alone if they were effecting your kids life.
If the Government want to protect snakes and crocs in areas where people are trying to live they should provide croc free and snake free play areas for the children.
I repeat its a pity Australian zoo doesnt highlight the plight of farm animals.

I wonder what the Government would do if Australian zoo stood up for the pigs in intensive farms or the poultry or live exports as well as crocs and snakes.

I do not think farmers should have to loose their stock through crocs either+ I think its cruel to allow that to happen!.

Its not simply life its discusting none cares these calves cows horses goats etc are left to fend for themselves and die such an awful death.

Nobody deserves to die like that- not the aboriginal kids or the tourists or the farm animals.

Control is required in places where you have people and farm animals.