Space Crocs
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A World-First project Satellite-Tracking large estuarine crocodiles has exploded some myths about their behaviour and is changing management and conservation practices in Queensland.
Former Queensland Environment Minister John Mickel and The Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, unveiled the findings of the Crocs in Space research project at Australia Zoo.
The project is a partnership between the University, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS and Australia Zoo).
It involves monitoring six large estuarine crocodiles in the Endeavour and Nesbit Rivers in far north Queensland with scope to track another nine crocodiles before the project finishes in 2005.
The research team comprises QPWS researcher Dr Mark Read, Steve Irwin and Paul O'Callaghan from Australia Zoo, and Professor Gordon Grigg and Associate Professor Craig Franklin from the UQ School of Life Sciences.
Mr Mickel said the project had shown for instance that the satellite transmissions were overlapping, indicating that large estuarine crocodiles appear to be far more tolerant of other large males than previously thought.
"As a result, it is possible that there are more male crocodiles sharing waterways than expected and that has implications for management and conservation, particularly near urban areas," he said.
