RSPCA protests NT croc safari push
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Potential real-life crocodile hunters would have to pass a competency test. (www.sxc.hu: M Girard, file photo)
The RSPCA is hoping to persuade Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett to reject the Northern Territory Government's plan to allow crocodile safari hunting.
The Territory Government says traditional owners should have the business opportunity of allowing 25 saltwater crocodiles to be shot for sport on their land.
It is considering more than 100 written submissions from interest groups and the public before putting the plan to the Commonwealth for approval.
RSPCA spokeswoman Bidda Jones says the argument about offering Aboriginal communities new ways of making money does not stand up.
"In the current management plan, there's no dollar value given for the revenue that might arise from this," she said.
"There's currently trophy hunting of introduced animals on Aboriginal land.
"There's no evidence that revenue from that actually does flow back to Aboriginal communities.
"If there were evidence I'm sure that the Northern Territory Government would be presenting it."
Michaela Johnston from the Gulpulul Aboriginal Corporation in Arnhem Land says a quota of 25 crocodiles would not generate much income.
She says her group hopes a trial of the plan will see it expanded.
"We'd like to see the numbers increased to at least 100," she said.
"So out of the current plan that they've got allocated for now in the new draft management, out of the 500-odd animals that they've got allocated, 100 of those animals should be looked at game hunting.
"Twenty-five's not going to have a huge increase in employment."
She said safari shooters would have to pass a competency test.
"They're not just yobbos from out back wanting to blow [up] a crocodile," she said.
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