So will hunting ever open for crocodiles in Australia? The government of the Northern Territory has submitted a proposal that would do just that, albeit on a small scale. In a newly submitted Draft Management Program for the Saltwater Crocodile, the Northern Territory government once again has proposed a safari hunting program with a quota of 25 saltwater crocodiles, which would be included in an overall cull quota of 500 animals per year and an annual egg harvest of 50,000 (up from the current 35,000 eggs taken annually). The Northern Territory has proposed paid hunting for crocodiles before only to be shot down by a “green” prime minister, who simply overruled the proposal at the federal level where export permits would be issued. The last time safari hunting for crocs was put forth now deceased preservationist Steve Irwin mounted a successful campaign to stop it.
So, what are the chances it will pass this time? This latest attempt is a concerted and well planned effort supported by the safari hunting industry in Australia and international conservation groups. A number of people have been working on the reopening of Aussie crocodiles for years, including John J. Jackson, III, of Conservation Force, in concert with the IUCN Croc Specialist Group. The current proposal seems to follow what the Group previously has recommended. Jackson says the plan’s approval would be a major breakthrough. “But we have gotten close before,” he warns. “And each time it has been killed at the national level because of distaste for tourist hunting by wealthy nonresidents for recreation rather than livelihoods and food.”
Indeed that seems to be at the crux of internal disagreements in Australia’s hunting community, where local hunters would like to hunt crocodiles as well and would not be able to under the proposed scheme because the government is considering a permit fee of $5,000 to $10,000. The high cost of the permit puts crocodile hunting out of most residents’ reach and makes it available only to well-heeled hunters. Including the costs of offering the hunt, speculation is that the hunts would have to go in the neighborhood of $25,000. Many question if there are enough wealthy international hunters interested in taking an Australian saltie to make such a venture successful. The fear is that not enough hunters would be willing to pay that price, and the market will simply dry up, taking the new opportunity with it.....
