McKinlay River Freshwater Crocodile Project 2001

From July to November 2001 Wildlife Management International began a project to assess the impact of invading cane toads (Bufo marinus) on native Australian freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus johnstoni). Dozens of staff and volunteers took part in the project which included habitat surveys, capture and measurement of crocodiles. The following photographs catalogue just some of that work.

setting the scene | catching crocs | tying and measuring | a lot of work | want to take part?

Click on an image for an enlargement and description.

The first camp at Big Bony billabong

Third camp, Many Catfish billaong

Small, mainstream billabong with nets

The core team members and toothy friend

The boat all ready to go

View of a billabong and buoyant capture team

Dangerous angles whilst checking the net

Getting the twigs out

Catching Crocs

Not another fish...

Heather wrangles a small freshie

Watch those teeth!

When there's no boat available...

A sorry excuse for a coffee break!

The Army don't mess around with small ones

Novel uses for a screwdriver

The result of 20 frantic minutes

Tying and Measuring

A cool spot to wait before being measured

Plenty of crocodiles waiting their turn

Ensuring the crocs are comfortable, and knots secure!

Sometimes there just isn't enough space on the ground

Probably not what Toyota had in mind

Untying a crocodile for measurement

The measuring station

Measuring the head of a small crocodile

No wonder this crocodile was thin

Skin parasite trails

Everyone has to pose for a photograph!

When you've gotta go...

A Lot of Work

Keeping the ants off

Driving crocodiles into the nets

Carrying a crocodile to shore

Taking a coffee break at "93" billabong

When the flies get too much, you can always retreat!

The size range of crocodiles caught

Driving through the bush

Dr Webb bogs the 4WD!

Why God created winches

Australian Army 5/11 volunteers with their catch

National Geographic interviewing for Supercroc

The mechanics of filming galloping crocodiles

Few sunsets are better than those in the Northern Territory

Crocodiles make the front page Interested?

*Setting the Scene*

























*Want to Take Part?*
The project will continue in 2002 from July to early October, and again in 2003 during the same period. WMI can offer keen volunteers the opportunity to take part in the project in either 2002 or 2003.