Police in northern Australia found the remains of a 12-year-old girl on Thursday, two days after she was taken by a crocodile while swimming in a creek. The incident took place in the remote Indigenous community of Palumpa, southwest of Darwin, in the Northern Territory.
The girl’s disappearance triggered a significant search effort involving land, water, and air teams. Her remains were discovered in the river system near where she had been swimming, confirming the attack, said Police Senior Sgt. Erica Gibson. “The recovery has been made. It was particularly gruesome and a sad, devastating outcome,” Gibson told reporters.
Efforts are now focused on trapping the crocodile responsible for the attack. Saltwater crocodiles, known for their territorial nature, are likely to stay in the nearby waterways, making the task of locating the animal critical. Gibson emphasized that “efforts are continuing to trap the killer crocodile.”
This incident has brought attention to the growing crocodile population in Australia’s tropical north. Since becoming a protected species under Australian law in the 1970s, saltwater crocodiles have seen a population explosion. Estimates suggest there are over 100,000 saltwater crocodiles in the Northern Territory alone, making it home to the world’s largest wild crocodile population.
Saltwater crocodiles, or “salties,” can live up to 70 years and grow throughout their lives, reaching up to 23 feet in length. Their increasing numbers and sizes have become a significant concern for residents and officials. While fatal crocodile attacks on humans are rare, the presence of large crocodiles in populated areas poses a continual risk.
In recent years, the Northern Territory government has implemented various measures to manage the crocodile population, including public awareness campaigns and the removal of problem crocodiles from high-risk areas. However, these efforts have proven challenging due to the vast and often remote habitats these animals occupy.
Dr. Adam Britton, a crocodile expert based in Darwin, noted that the management of the crocodile population requires a balance between conservation and public safety. He said the increase in large crocodiles is a direct result of successful conservation efforts, but this also means people need to be more vigilant.
The Northern Territory has seen other recent crocodile attacks, although fatal incidents remain uncommon. The last fatal attack before this incident occurred in 2018. Nonetheless, the presence of large crocodiles in waterways frequented by locals and tourists continues to pose a serious threat.
Local residents of Palumpa and surrounding areas have been urged to exercise extreme caution around waterways and heed warning signs about crocodile hazards. The community is deeply affected by the loss of the young girl, highlighting the ongoing dangers posed by the region’s wildlife.