Police in Australia’s Northern Territory are searching for a missing 12-year-old child who is believed to have been attacked by a crocodile. The child was last seen swimming in a creek in the remote community of Palumpa, with initial reports suggesting a crocodile attack. Local officers are conducting a search of the area by boat, and the community is assisting in the effort.
The Northern Territory is home to over 100,000 saltwater crocodiles, which have been protected from culls and hunting since 1971. These crocodiles are the largest species in the world, growing up to 20 feet in length, but fatal attacks on humans are rare. However, last month, a crocodile that posed a threat to humans and pets was captured, killed, and eaten by locals.
In response to safety concerns, officials in the Northern Territory have increased the number of crocodiles allowed to be removed annually to 1,200 from 300 in a 10-year management plan released this year. The tragic incident involving the missing child highlights the ongoing challenges of coexisting with these large predators in a region where encounters with crocodiles are a real threat to public safety.
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