Monster crocs slaughtered - ntnews.com.au

July 23rd, 2008

TWO giant Territory crocodiles found dead were shot by trophy hunters. Both of the crocs were more than 4m long and up to 50 years old.

SENSELESS: One of the mutilated crocs, shot by trophy hunters

One of the salties had its neck mutilated in what appeared to be a failed attempt to behead it.

The other was shot through the eye with a high-powered rifle.

Their corpses were discovered belly-up in the Adelaide River and the senseless slaughters have outraged tour operators and authorities.

Long-time Territorian Harry Bowman -- an Adelaide River Wildlife Cruise tour guide -- said the culprits were "scumbags''.

DISGUSTED: Adelaide River Wildlife Cruise tour guide Harry Bowman branded the croc kill culprits "scumbags''

"It's obvious it is trophy hunters -- they are going for their skulls,'' Mr Bowman said.

"I've noticed the numbers of crocs have been dropping over the past few years but thought it was mainly due to nests flooding or cane toads.

"But there have also been many stories of crocs being shot and found beheaded -- it's got to stop.

"With a bit of luck they will become croc bait themselves.''

The latest dead saltie was spotted on the Adelaide River, about 15km upstream from the bridge, about lunchtime on Monday.

Mr Bowman, 57, was taking a full boat of tourists on the river for a wildlife and leisure croc spotting cruise when they came across the floating 4.7m saltie.

"Everyone was shocked and angry,'' he said.

"They are our business partners -- without them we don't have tours.''

It was found that the croc had been shot in the eye.

Mr Bowman said the 800kg reptile was probably laying on the banks in the sun when it was fired at and it escaped into the water, not allowing the hunters to get it.

He said the shooting would have happened either Friday or Saturday with croc corpses taking several days to float to the surface.

The grisly discovery follows him finding a mutilated 4.6m reptile late last year.

NT Parks and Wildlife Ranger Tommy Nichols said they are trying to retrieve the bullet from the croc for forensic testing. Wildlife officers will investigate the incident, he said.

The culprits could face a maximum fine of $55,000 and six years jail.