A monster saltwater crocodile has been taken out of the wild after being hauled from a river trap in the Northern Territory.
The 4.6 metre long reptile was caught by wildlife officers in the Katherine River, at Donkey Camp, about 10km from the town of Katherine.
Rangers said a member of the public last week reported seeing a large crocodile in the area, and the 700kg beast was snared at the popular fishing spot yesterday.
Its huge size meant it had to be sedated and dragged from the water using a four wheel drive truck.
Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Service Wildlife Ranger, Joey Buckerfield said: "He was quite an impressive animal.
"He filled the trap out and had no trouble turning around."
The huge crocodile, which has been named Karl, is the largest of the 116 reptiles to be caught in the Northern Territory this year, but was the first to be pulled from the region.
He was tied down, taped up and taken to a croc farm in Darwin.
Mr Buckerfield said a 3.4m male saltwater crocodile was also removed from a permanent trap about one kilometre downstream from the popular Wangi Falls, in Litchfield National Park.
He warned people to remain vigilant around waterways in the area despite it coming towards the end of the wet season.
"This is another reminder to people to be extremely cautious about any waterways in the Top End, because estuarine [saltwater] crocodiles can and do move around throughout the year," Mr Buckerfield said.
“The traps are removed from Katherine River at the beginning of the wet season as they become difficult to bait and check with rising river levels and may be swept away or damaged by heavy rain.
“The traps have recently been placed back in the Katherine River for the duration of the dry season.
“Only swim in designated swimming areas."
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