Recent reports that the Northern Territory will begin a trial to allow 50 crocodiles to be hunted has prompted Queensland Environment Minister Andrew Powell to vow that our State's crocs will remain protected.

Crocodile hunters in the Northern Territory will pay around $15,000 to kill a big male, a plan which has drawn criticism from Ecotourism Australia.

The tourism group has expressed strong disappointment in the announcement by the Northern Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson to back the proposed trial.
 
“The essence of our concern is that Safari Hunting of a protected species Crocodylus porosus will have long reaching impacts,” said Kym Cheatham, Chief Executive of Ecotourism Australia.
 
“The Northern Territory tourism industry is worth over $1.4 billion, most of it coming from eco, or at least nature, tourism.

"The maximum potential economic impact from safari hunting of saltwater crocodiles would be miniscule in comparison and fundamentally puts at risk in reputation of the NT as a destination that values and protects its environment,” she said.

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While the NT Government has claimed that Safari Hunting will benefit aboriginal people, Ecotourism Australia believes that while some of the revenue may end up in aboriginal hands, it is still a relatively small amount compared the value of the industry overall and the potential negative impacts.  
 
“Surely there are many opportunities for government to help traditional owners develop viable tourism experiences that do not involve the killing of animals for entertainment” Ms Cheatham said.
 
“The NT Government has invested substantially over many years to lead the way and develop a global reputation in sustainable nature tourism.  

"Surely it is not hard to envisage the ramifications of government condoned Safari Hunting of Crocodiles on the NT’s key core market of nature tourism.”

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