What are the threats faced by estuarine crocodiles?
The estuarine crocodile was almost shot out of existence during the latter half of the twentieth century. When it was protected by the Queensland Government in 1974, this threat was eliminated but the impact was so great that even now, more than three decades later, estuarine crocodile populations are still recovering and the species is listed as vulnerable under the Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006. This vulnerability now means that other threats include: • urban, rural residential and agricultural development • clearing of riparian vegetation • deliberate killing, such as illegal shooting • accidental mortality from commercial fish netting in estuaries • disturbance by motor boats and • removal of crocodiles for public safety.
