Feds to ban croc safaris
By CAMDEN SMITH
11jan04
THE Federal Government is expected to stop the Territory legalising crocodile hunting safaris.

The Territory Government made the request in a five-yearly crocodile plan of management, which has been lodged with Federal Environment Minister David Kemp.

The idea was for 25 crocodiles over 4m to be shot by wealthy safari hunters every year.

It is estimated overseas hunters would pay up to $6000 to shoot a crocodile.

The NT Government believes the money would have provided income and employment for rural regions, particularly Aboriginal communities.

But the Government has received a letter from the Department of Environment and Heritage saying the Federal Government was against the safari hunting trial.

About 600 crocodiles are culled in the Territory every year.

But under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, Territory crocodiles cannot be used in ``unsustainable trade'', which includes safari hunting.

Environment Minister Chris Burns said it was inconsistent of the Federal Government not to allow low-level safari hunting.

``There's already provision for the harvesting of 600 crocodiles a year in the Territory and our plan does not change existing quotas,'' he said.

``To now suggest we shouldn't be allowed to have low-level safari hunting is totally inconsistent.

``These bureaucrats in Canberra are saying it's OK to get rid of problem crocs but they don't want safari hunting.

``Maybe what's needed is for the Canberra mob to get themselves away from the shores of Lake Burley-Griffin and come up to have a look at the reality of crocodiles in Top End waterways.

``We're proposing a strictly-regulated operation that will increase economic opportunities, largely for remote Aboriginal communities.''

Ray Hall, of the Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation in Maningrida, said he was disappointed at the expected knock-back.

``It will be a decision made by people in cities in Australia who have no concept of the reality of living in a part of the world with crocodiles,'' he said.

``Managing and using the population is a conservation tool, and the revenue from safaris would provide money to further monitor and research crocodiles.''