Crocodile culling to be considered following attack in Northern Territory | ABC News

Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles says a conversation "needs to be had" about potentially reintroducing crocodile culling in the territory following an attack at a popular Top End swimming spot.
According to NT Health, the 67-year-old man is in a stable condition in the Royal Darwin Hospital after the attack at Wangi Falls in Litchfield National Park on Monday afternoon.
Dozens of people were in the water at the time.
The 2-metre-long saltwater crocodile was shot by park rangers on Monday night and removed from the swimming hole.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Ms Fyles said the NT's crocodile population had grown from around 3,000 to 100,000 since culling ceased in the 1970's.
"I think it's time for us to consider: Do we need to go back to culling considering the significant increase in the crocodile population, and the impact it's happening, not just on our tourists and visitors, but also locals," she said.
"It's a conversation that I think needs to be had.
"It's a conversation with Traditional Owners and land councils, and a conversation with the Commonwealth government."
She said she would be "formally contacting the Commonwealth" to raise the prospect.
Ms Fyles said she could not yet confirm exactly what happened to the victim on Monday.
"It's still being investigated around whether it was a bite or what actually happened," she said.
"I think we had a very thankful outcome yesterday, but I think it could be more tragic into the future."
Director of Northern Australian Parks for the NT's Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security, Dean McAdams, said Wangi Falls would remain closed for at least three more days to allow rangers to monitor the area for crocodiles.
"At the end of three nights, if there's no more sightings then we can reopen," Mr McAdams told ABC Radio on Tuesday morning.
He said rangers had not yet figured out how the crocodile made it into the pool.
Crocodile expert Brendan Sideleau said the culling of saltwater crocodiles would not make territory waterways safer.
"Culling really wouldn't do anything other than lull people into a false sense of security," he said.
Mr Sideleau urged the NT government not to cull the animals, saying current management plans worked "really well right now".

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