Crocodile skinning, North Queensland, 1946

Skinning crocodiles is a skilled and unpleasant task as the skin needs to be cut away – it cannot be pulled away from the body like mammal skin.

Collection of the National Archives of Australia

A large saltwater crocodile killed in the Queensland Gulf Country, 1964

Modern firearms allowed large animals to be killed with some reliability, although at times crocodile hunters found themselves hauling in animals that were only stunned.

Collection of the National Archives of Australia

Crocodile skin used for leather, 1968

This crocodile skin is being processed in Australia; many were sent overseas to be turned into manufactured goods.

Collection of the National Archives of Australia

Dulcie Campbell, crocodile hunter, North Queensland, c1950

Dulice Campbell, with two crocodiles at Sunday Gully, North Queensland, c1950. While crocodile hunting was widely perceived as adventurous, dangerous, and macho some women participated.

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Two hunters posing with a dead crocodile, North Queensland, c1872

The killing of large crocodiles was a noteworthy event throughout the colonial period.

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Distribution of saltwater crocodiles, 2010

Australia
See map: Google Maps
21 August 2013
21 August 2013

Location

Australia
See map: Google Maps
21 August 2013

G.J. W. Webb, S.C. Manolis and M.L. Brien, Saltwater Crocodile Crocodylus porosus. Pp. 99-113 in Crocodiles. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. Third Edition, ed. by S.C. Manolis and C. Stevenson. Crocodile Specialist Group: Darwin, 2010

Crocodile hunting

The distribution of saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus). Despite their name large numbers of saltwater crocodiles are found in rivers and billabongs throughout northern Australia. Saltwater crocodiles grow to a maximum length of seven metres and at times attack human beings. The species spreads beyond the limits of the Australian continent and is found in the Torres Strait, New Guinea and parts of Asia.

Reproduced in G.J. W. Webb, S.C. Manolis and M.L. Brien, Saltwater Crocodile Crocodylus porosus. Pp. 99-113 in Crocodiles. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. Third Edition, ed. by S.C. Manolis and C. Stevenson. Crocodile Specialist Group: Darwin, 2010

Distribution of Australian freshwater crocodiles, 2010

Australia
See map: Google Maps
21 August 2013
21 August 2013

Location

Australia
See map: Google Maps
21 August 2013

G.J.W. Webb and S.C. Manolis, Australian Freshwater Crocodile Crocodylus johnstoni. Pp. 66-70 in Crocodiles. Status Survey and
Conservation Action Plan. Third Edition, ed. by S.C. Manolis and C. Stevenson. Crocodile Specialist Group: Darwin

Crocodile hunting

The distribution of freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus johnsoni) across northern Australia. Freshwater crocodiles live in fresh and slightly salty water – they are able to survive living in saltwater but they are not able to live with saltwater crocodiles. They grow to a maximum length of three metres and do not kill humans. The species is native to Australia and its range does not extend beyond the continent.
Reproduced in G.J.W. Webb and S.C. Manolis, Australian Freshwater Crocodile Crocodylus johnstoni. Pp. 66-70 in Crocodiles. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. Third Edition, ed. by S.C. Manolis and C. Stevenson. Crocodile Specialist Group: Darwin, 2010

Crocodile hunting

Crocodiles are a notable feature of life in North Queensland, but despite their fearsome reputation, their numbers have been curtailed by human activities, from hunting to tourism.

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