Capture

The indigenous Nyul Nyul Rangers from Beagle Bay on the Dampier Peninsular, the remote outback community in the far Northwest, call in on one of their routine excursions. A few of the Beagle Bay mob are getting bothered with a croc that’s becoming more and more curious with the families that fish from the banks of the creek. A curious croc is a dangerous animal, as they become aware of people fishing from the muddy banks of the creek, they begin a stalking mode and often over days move closer and closer.

Patrick was down a couple of days ago, fired sixteen shots at the troublesome predator. All missed. His aging rifle battered and abused, Patrick looked down the sights on his last shot and claimed a kill. It missed again.

So the Rangers are in and asking for permission to set a croc trap up in one of the side creeks down at Gilunge creek, which is part of our land and home to the Burrguk aboriginal Community.

The trap is set afloat in a small but deep muddy channel and baited with a roo carcass.

Me and Michael check the trap the following morning, the Rangers asked if we could keep an eye on it over the next few days and call them if the trap door is down. That next morning edging down the slippery, muddy bank we see the trap, the door is down with a croc inside and another circling and homing in the roo bait too.

The Nyul Nyul Rangers are there within the hour excited with the prospects of the capture. Patrick rides on top of the trap as it’s towed by a small boat out the side creek and up onto the beach. They all struggle to get the rope nooses around the croc through a small opening in the trap. Capturing crocs this way is not the norm for the Rangers, someone’s usually a better shot than Patrick. And the croc is a great food source for the community. Eventually the croc is roped and dragged out onto the beach. Thick, strong tape is wrapped around the crocs jaws and legs tied up. The croc lays motionless on the sand. It’s had a close call though, Patrick and his gun, the Rangers and their trap but this animal is heading for a life of tourism at the Michael Douglas Crocodile Park in Broome.

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Author Nick Stride