Crocodile Responsibility
The saltwater crocodile is a protected species under the Australian Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and the Northern Territory’s Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act. The Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport has legislative responsibility under the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act for the protection and management of saltwater crocodiles. The CROCWISE strategy is in accord with the Northern Territory Saltwater Crocodile Management Program 2009-2014.
It is an offence under the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act to interfere with or kill crocodiles without a permit. Permits may be granted to Ranger Groups, Shires or land managers to trap or shoot problem crocodiles where there is a demonstrated need to do so and no other alternatives are available. Parks and Wildlife Service is able to work with these groups to support the development of individual crocodile safety management capacity and programs.
The Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water Resources, Heritage and the Arts is responsible for crocodile management on their land, such as Kakadu National Park.