A Word from our King: "Scarface"
The swamps, rivers and estuaries across northern Australia are home to one of the biggest, fiercest – and perhaps most misunderstood – predators in the world. We wrestle the saltwater crocodile facts from the fiction, including how to stay safe in croc country. Saltwater (or estuarine) crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) are the world’s largest living reptile species, growing up to 6m long and weighing up to a tonne. They’re also perfectly evolved predators. When the unsustainable hunting practices in Australia of the mid-20th century finally ceased in 1970, there were fewer than 3000 individual saltwater crocodiles left in Australia’s croc territories.
With this blog we would like to present a contribution from David, Daintree River Solar Whisper Wildlife & Crocodile Cruises, a small family operated business, practising true Eco Tourism in North Queensland, Australia.
For over 20 years David engages in the conservation and protection of these species, wanting to achieve a sustainable living arrangement for both, the magnificent crocodiles, the community and its visitors.
Once upon a time the Aboriginal people lived in harmony with nature.
And now: A word from the King Croc Scarface:
🗩 "There's a ever-growing problem that's come to my attention, it has to be said, I have to bring it up for mention. There's a population problem, it's really getting out of hand, it's spreading all over mostly on the land. There's escalating numbers of which I have never seen and we are getting worried, me and the lovely Queen. The population is growing, it seems to us out of control, they are spreading everywhere covering this planet as a whole. They are the very aggressive species driving in their cars, fighting each other in their drinking bars. They have taken over this place and slowly we are losing space. We got some signs to say no trespassing put up by lovely folk, but most of you ignore them or treat em as a joke. There's a guy with a big hat that wants to pull out the guns, he really want to kill us big uns. He wants to put a bullet in my head and see me belly up dead. There was a time before when you killed my mother and my father too, you actually killed just about everyone I knew. But times have changed I thought with you, your son and daughter where you respected me and kept out of my water. This is my world, this is my kingdom and I don't want to fight, but if you're swimming in my home it's without an invite. So you there with the big brains, can't you work it out, I'm an Apex predator an ecosystem cannot be without. You want to control my numbers, what for, look at yourselves before you come to my door." 🗩
📽
https://www.facebook.com/SolarWhisper/videos/1848479111864007/
The one the only Scarface the King of the Daintree moved. That’s right you read correctly he moved and well when you’re king there’s no reason to rush.
David comments on the crocodile issue: “Many arguments say that crocs just can’t live near humans and they belong in the wild. Well years ago they were allowed near Cairns Northern Beaches, but population growth and tourism forced them out. Now further north no one wants them. We (humans) are ever increasing, crocs are taken now from Cooktown. Thursday island, Weipa and further, remote camp grounds etc, there is little untouched areas that humans don’t go. We need to stop expecting ancient reptiles to change their behaviour and start changing ours. Queensland is so reluctant to accept these animals, the last 5 years or so the hysteria fed by the newspapers and people sharing the negative messages on their mobile devices for 5 minutes of fame, that apparently also has lead to a ridiculous anecdotal apparent increase in the croc population.The Northern Territory did their first count in the 70s, Queensland is finally doing their first one now. This will show the actual numbers of crocs are very low. The loss of habitat for breeding is so significant for these animals. They can’t breed in mangroves they need high ground, if you do a google search of say the Daintree river you will see its bordered by agricultural land, sugar cane, cow paddocks. All those human activities destroy nests, it is well known. Habitat loss is not talked about when people discuss crocs but it should be”.
🐊
Reference
Contribution of David, Daintree River Solar Whisper Wildlife & Crocodile Cruises, Eco Tourism in North Queensland, Australia
https://www.facebook.com/SolarWhisper/
Australian Geographic, 2016 (viewed 21.04.2018)
http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/wildlife/2016/03/welcome-to-croc-country