[Targan]

Crocodiles used to be widely hunted for their skins so the numbers of big crocs dropped sharply until the early 1970s when they became a protected species. Since then crocodile numbers have steadily increased. They're not uncommon at all. Freshwater crocodiles are like cayman, they're all but harmless. It's the Australian saltwater crocodile that's the monster. Much the same as that one they caught in the Philippines. Big, old, male Australian saltwater crocodiles can grow to in excess of 7 meters (23 feet) long and 1100kg (2420lbs) in weight.

Crocs are fairly rare near human habitations because not many people live in the far north of Australia. Its mostly fair dinkum vast, unfriendly wilderness up there. But they are seen around some towns like Broome, Darwin and Townsville. In the vast wilderness of Kakadu and in esturine areas along the northern coast you've got to be really careful. They are stealthy, patient and really fast when they are in the water or on the mud. There are at least a couple of hundred thousand salties roaming around up there. Once or twice a year we hear on the news of someone getting eaten by a croc. They scare the crap out of me.