Killer Crocs indeed. This is my analysis of a post on the website Crocodile Appreciation Society. I consider some thoughts, mainly severe and showing a lack of real understanding; in addition, some people seem quite mindless of the fact that humans are only human.
This is only one post out of many. I chose it at random. Of course we are interested in crocs, killer crocs or cute, cuddly crocs, but we should speak from a position of knowledge. As for myself, I lived in the Northern Territory and in Far North Qld. I hunted, fished, camped, adventured, and swam in areas that are now really dangerous. I guess I know something.
On crocodiles specifically, I have studied them, their anatomy, the biology, and more. I have studied animal science at university. I know a good deal about killer crocs and their harmless cousins, other crocs.
Leighton Clark website and Leighton Clark novel, “The Sixth Season, Gudjewg.”
I created my own website called The Crocodile Chronicles.com. It deals a lot with the subject of killer crocs.
I have written a novel, “The Sixth Season, Gudjewg,” which is essentially about Arnhem Land, one man, and one crocodile. The subject crocodile kills often. You could call him a killer croc. But the work is based on my own personal collection of true stories, verified facts, and a deep knowledge and interest in all of the subject matters, even down to how to skin a crocodile.
You will learn more about crocodiles by reading this novel.
Review of post in the Crocodile Appreciation Society.
Here is a post about killer crocs.
You will see the poster’s comments in italics. My own comments follow.
What bloody idiots
COMMENT. Some people think that people are idiots when all they are is just simply human. Some think that killer crocs are not to blame, just idiots.
2. Lyall Naylor
Don’t care, as long as the croc is not held responsible for seeing an opportunity
COMMENT.While others are totally lacking in human sympathy for the poor victims.
3. Nick Talucci
unfortunately it likely will be
COMMENT. Then some see it as “unfortunate” that crocodiles are held to account for a “murder and mutilation adventure.”
4. Steve John
Nothing can be done about STUPID!!! But something CAN BE DONE about saving that poor croc
COMMENT. The good old unknown croc (AKA killer croc) has not yet committed the dirty deed and yet he is excused? Strangely, the perpetrator is seen as the victim.
5. Mark Norman
Just let nature take it’s course
COMMENT. If nature had taken its course humans would have kept shooting crocs back in the 70s. Some say that they were close to extinction. I venture to say that they would be one step closer to extinction if the human laws didn’t stop the course of human nature i.e. shooting for sport, adventure, and skins etc.
By the way, with shooting vigorous, killer crocs became wary and shy. No longer killer crocs but disappearing crocs.
can’t disagree
COMMENT. It seems we are all in agreement? Human lives matter less than crocodile lives.
One would rather hope that more thought would be given to the situation?
7. Damian Duffy
but you can’t, because the crocodiles will be the ones punished the most.
COMMENT. The human victim is punished, and I think that losing your life might be considered a fairly severe punishment. So too, his or her family, friends, and caring people. They all suffer.
There are many people (maybe not on this post) who believe the old Donne saying:
“No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend’s or of thine own were: any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee.”
SOURCE: The phrase ‘For whom the bell tolls’ – meaning and origin. (phrases.org.uk)
8. Mark Norman
only joking. But in a perfect world….
COMMENT. I think that the writer is sincere. I think the writer may be very happy to see the poor unfortunates taken, mutilated, and killed. More power to the killer crocs?
9. Damian Duffy
oh I hear ya mate
COMMENT. There seems to be general agreement that the only victims are the crocodiles
10. David Pollard
Problem is if croc does what comes naturally and takes a stupid primate from waters edge it will probably be shot along with a few others
COMMENT. In Australia, at least, crocodiles other than the perpetrator are still fully protected i.e. not shot along with. But an opposing point is that perhaps the primate is not stupid, but just a human with all the human foibles.
Perhaps not stupid? Perhaps just a careless error, a bit of human overconfidence. Maybe someone who is typically bold, resourceful, but at times, and especially on this occasion, unlucky.
Still the question is, “Should we allow crocs to kill off humans?”
If your answer is “Yes,” then tell that to some poor mother. Tell that to the family that just lost their dad because a croc attacked a man in a boat, or came into a tent at night.
11. Daniel Weller
I personally think that if a croc kills someone doing what comes natural. It’s the persons fault not the crocs. So shouldnt have to kill the croc. At the end of the day they was here first. If u live in a country where u know theres crocs…
COMMENT. Well said! It is the human’s fault that they set themselves up to be killed and mutilated. Or perhaps devoured. There are many cases where young children are devoured whole. Not the croc’s fault?
Who was here first is an old argument that does not stack up. There are many countries where people A were there before people B, but we cannot take a view that the country should be given back to the original inhabitants. This would be messy, totally impractical, and quite complex.
A good example is Australia. The indigenous people were here. The English came.
The rest is history and you cannot turn back the clock. Not that the indigenous would necessarily want it back the way it was. We have all, pretty much, moved on.
Regardless, it is not reasonable to say that simply because crocodiles were here first they should be permitted to take humans with impunity.
12. David Pollard
I agree entirely it is always human fault for going into water for leisure purposes
But killing is usually a Governments response they are called a rogue croc and stimulates idiots to call for a complete cull ie going back to 1970’s when crocs were close to extinction
I have the same view as you. Do not go in the water
killer crocs and my comments.
COMMENT. It is always the human fault? Are we to be denied leisure? What about the situation when the croc takes someone on the bank, or in a tent? How far do you go to deny people’s rights to leisure?
Were these creatures really close to extinction? Perhaps not. After all they are long-term survivors. They are very special, unique creatures, and so very well adapted for survival.
There was, of course, no “complete cull.” The animals were pursued mainly for commercial purposes. No great big cull. Just commercial hunting for skins. And do not be deceived, as there were still a great number of crocodiles. I know, as I was there. I saw them.
P.S. They have bounced back quite well, don’t you agree?
13. Daniel Weller
I’m sure they have swimming pools for humans. Leave the rivers to the crocs. I live in england so we have nothing to worry about going in the water. But if I did live in a country with crocs I just wouldn’t go into the water. Not worth the risk. You would be dead in seconds!!
COMMENT. I do not have precise numbers of swimming pools in the area across the Top End of Australia, but back in my day there was one, the Parap Swimming Pool. Of course there were safe swimming holes, waterfalls, creeks, lagoons, estuaries, swamps, and beaches. Of course, not to mention a lot of ocean. Much of that is now unsafe or dangerous.
Then there is the issue of crocs attacking on land or attacking people in boats.
As you say, you live in England and do not have a worry. It is likely that you are not really fully informed on the situation and so perhaps you should be more careful when expressing your opinion on something that does not actually affect you.
14. David Arthur
I agree with you both. The crocs shouldn’t be killed because they killed an idiot for entering their own territory.
Like David Pollard pretty much said, we are a meat source so of course they will snap a human up if one is stupid enough to lurk at the waters edge.
COMMENT. Repeating …………that this is not always stupidity. Do some investigation. Check the facts. One thing that you have little knowledge of, or at least it appears that way, is that the crocs have “bounced back” and now there are huge numbers of them. They are everywhere.
Now the point is that, back in the sixties and early seventies, the locals got used to that freedom, as did the tourists, the adventurers etc. Today, they are all at risk if they step foot in the Top End and do anything but sit in the pub.
Killer crocs and literary licence.
Apologies for exaggeration, but needed to make a point.
15. David Arthur
Thank you for the pointer. I was led to believe from some websites that crocs are only found in Northern Territory and Queensland.
If I do visit south Australia when I am over, I will bare this in mind.
COMMENT. Crocs are known to move about a fair bit and so it will be a good idea to bear this in mind, else you may bare more than anticipated.
15. Gary Holt
Author
crocs are found in the far of North Western Australia to mate. To a large saltie that crouching human at the waters edge would look like natural prey Kangaroo size crocs don’t discriminate and will take the opportunity if one presents itself, and the opportunity is right there
COMMENT. It is a little worse than that because crocs are not so much indiscriminate, as true hunters. Crocs may observe for quite a time: they often hunt by stalking their prey, and so if you go down to the river to wash a dish, you had best do it in a different place at a different time. You had best not linger because the wise old croc will get to know your habits.
16. David Arthur
Exactly! The poor animals should never be killed for a persons stupidity.
I am a British man who has always wanted to work with wildlife, particularly in Australia. When I come over, I would love to go and see crocs in the wild, but I will look out for signs.
COMMENT. A new chum fresh out from England might just miss those signs. Unless, of course, you mean the warning signs CROC TERRITORY WATCH OUT!
Going back to my previous comment on stalking. There may be no sign of a killer croc, but that does not mean that he is not there, watching, waiting, hoping. The killer croc has more patience than humans, and he is able to lurk undetected for a good while. That is when you make your mistake.
17. Gary Holt
Author
I’m a Brit too mate Bolton born and bred. I’m the same wildlife and conservation mad
Crocodiles and mad conservationists.
COMMENT. There are many people who have an interest in conservation. Not all of them are “mad.” But many of them are quite knowledgeable, quite balanced, and very well aware of the situation. Education is the answer, but a lot of people are more interested in sensationalism.
Gary Holt – I was happy to hear that you are seeking to present a balanced view in your book. I look forward to it.
I am, myself, in the act of writing a Trilogy. It is called Buying and Selling Boorara. This was an iconic cattle station in Queensland. I loved it, I bought it, and I sold it. 152 years as a station. What a history! What events!
I sold it to the Queensland Government and it is now a National Park.
Publishing Volume One – The History of Boorara Station quite soon. Check my author site: www.leightonclark.com.au
Back to the review of the posts.
17. David Arthur
I am from Fife in Scotland. Do you live in Australia?
18. Gary Holt
Author
No mate lol Bolton in the north of England if you get to OZ and want to see wild crocs check out
Solar Whisper Daintree River Crocodile & Wildlife Cruises
run by
he’s a great bloke and passionate about wildlife and conservation
COMMENT. That is good to hear.
19. David Arthur
I am on that page. I enjoy all their updates.
COMMENT. Great.
19. David White
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1477609882345971/
thanks mate
20. Gary Holt
Author
no worries mate
21. Zane Cosgrove
the Adelaide River is in the Northern Territory, not South Australia…. the only crocs in South Australia are in wildlife parks or zoos
COMMENT. Study the subject. Find out. Get educated.
22. David Arthur
I thought Adelaide was in the south.
COMMENT. Yes, and like I said, get to know the facts. Then express an opinion that shows a true appreciation. That is the best course.
Adelaide is the capital of South Australia, and there are definitely no crocodiles in that State. There is the odd shark or two however…
COMMENT. Gus…………….I used to live in Adelaide. I will go along with you on that………
24. Gary Holt
Author
are getting confused with the Adelaide river mate?
25. David Arthur
Yes, I was. I didn’t think the river went up that far north.
26. Gary Holt
Author
David Arthur its an easy mistake mate, its a name thing. Some people think alligators are found in Australia because The East Alligator, West alligator, and South Alligator rivers are in OZ.
COMMENT: Actually, Gary, I disagree on that point. It is not an easy mistake to make. It is much worse than that. This sort of mistake is, in my view, representative of all mistakes ever made when the writer chooses to comment on a subject without taking the trouble to do any real research on the subject. Some basic knowledge of geography can be gained here About.
Or on many sites. One should acquaint oneself with the basics before commenting like this. Surely? Killer Crocs in Adelaide, which is about 2000 miles from the action.
27. Trevor Sullivan
Adelaide river is named after HMS Adelaide.
Headwaters are just South of Adelaide river town ship also named after river.About 10klms south of Darwin capital of Northern Territory.
River flows north not south.…
It enters the Timor sea just east of Darwin.
28. Trevor Sullivan
Sorry 100 kms south of Darwin
29. Kate Buglady
I’ve been on this river many times… it’s got a large number of saltwater crocodiles living in it most of which associate humans with food because of the local croc feeding tours… this person is mad to go anywhere near the waters edge here
COMMENT. This is fair comment, although there is much division on the subject of feeding. I wonder at the advisability of encouraging crocs to jump high out of the water.
Anyway, other than this comment, much of the preceding material shows that not all people who provide opinion or comment have any real knowledge of the subject.
Killer crocs or bad human beings.
It is not really a question of fault. We do not constitute a court of law determining fault or blame. But I wonder if you would all have the same attitude if your very young daughter was taken by a croc, killed, and all because she, poor child, was an idiot, fool, stupid, to blame, or did not get there first? Leighton www.thecrocodilechroniclesaustralia.com N.B. over 300 attacks by crocodiles.