Boat tours encouraging giant crocodiles to leap from the water using meat bait are raising the risks of savage attacks on tourists, a reptile expert says.
There is growing concern the monster reptiles are becoming more comfortable around humans due to the popularity of jumping croc cruises along stretches of the Adelaide River near Darwin.
Along with fishing and fish dumping, tour guides encourage the crocodiles come up alongside boats by baiting them with slabs of meant extended on long polls.
The stunt came to national attention following a stunning photo, published in the NT News, which showed a huge 5.5m crocodile leaping alongside a boat packed with 30 passengers.
Craig Adams, a reptile expert who runs Snake and Spider Safety Awareness for Employees (SSSAFE), and has 10 years' experience working directly with crocodiles, said the reptiles are losing their instinctive fear of humans.
"It is not natural for a crocodile to follow a boat, but if they know they are going to get an easy feed then they become quite accustomed it," he said.
"It's only the large crocs which have the confidence to track down a large vessel carrying humans or come up to a boat. We're training them to come up and get their food. The danger is the crocs become comfortable around boats."
Mr Adam said that any tourist taking a boat tour in the Top End should be aware that although attacks are rare, crocs are dangerous predators.
"I'm surprised someone hasn't been pulled out of a boat and it doesn't happen more often," he said.
Mr Adam came face-to-face with a croc during a fishing trip in the Northern Territory last February.
He and two friends were in a small tinny when a 4m-long salty burst out of the murky water and lunged after a fish they were reeling in.
"It's terrifying. You get a rush of water and their jaws are explosive when they snap together," he said.
Adelaide River Cruises has been accused of dangerous practices after yesterday's photo showed the 5.5m croc leap alongside one of its cruise boats.
A spokeswoman for the tour operator, Maxine Bowman, said owner Morgan Bowman has done more than 10,000 cruises of this type over the past 20 years and has taken many people on this cruise without a single incident.
"Safety is and always will be our priority and please note that we have never employed any other people to conduct this cruise except for Morgan and his brother Harry," she said.
"[The rival operator] has no knowledge of the care we take to ensure our valued tourists have a safe and close experience with the brilliant wildlife we have to offer in the NT, and the respect we hold for these animals and their natural environment we feel privileged to share."
Tours have to apply for government permits to feed the crocodiles.
ninemsn is awaiting a comment from Tourism NT.
Front page
RSS Feed