Mar 21, 2017

A crocodile has been sighted at Nyapuru Creek, 5 kilometres from Bidyadanga.

Karajarri rangers are urging local community members to be aware of a saltwater crocodile that has been spotted at a nearby creek.

In a first for the group, the rangers have deployed a crocodile trap at Nyapuru Creek, a popular fishing and camping area around five kilometres from Bidyadanga community.

Karajarri ranger Sheen Kitty said it is highly unusual for a crocodile be spotted in the area and urged community members to be wary.

"People use this location for fishing, getting outdoors and taking kids to experience the area," Sheen said

"The crocodile has been disturbing people and we have never had a crocodile that has made humbug like this, so we are here to get this fishing place back to normal again.

"We’ve set up our first croc trap and it is a waiting game now, so hopefully we catch the crocodile."

Sheen said deploying the crocodile trap was a first for the Karajarri team, as well as the nearby Nyangumarta rangers who also assisted in setting the trap.

"It took two ranger groups to put the croc trap together and it was not an easy job," he said.

"It’s all about team work if you want to deal with crocs."

Signage has been erected in the area to inform the public of the crocodile sighting and the Karajarri rangers will continue to monitor the situation closely together with the Department for Parks and Wildlife.

Karajarri rangers are part of the Kimberley Land Council facilitated Kimberley Ranger Network.

The rangers play an integral role in looking after country, delivering land and sea outcomes in the southern Kimberley. They also work across the Karajarri Indigenous Protected Area, which covers almost 25,000 square kilometres of country.

People can access Karajarri country by purchasing a visitor permit at www.karajarriipa.com