Killing crocs is not the answer.

The past few weeks have seen calls for crocs to be culled. And this time the focus of this statement isn’t on those fluoro clown shoes, but rather on the reptiles that have become an iconic part of the Australian identity. It seems people have forgotten the legendary characters of the Crocodile Hunter and Crocodile Dundee, famous for creating awareness about these animals that lurk beneath our murky waters. And one thing that was always made clear by these men is to never harm the animal, which is now apparently the solution to preventing croc attacks.

The death of Queensland holidaymaker Arthur Booker in Cooktown has sparked a heated discussion about the right path of resolution for these attacks. And more recently, reports have surfaced about an angry croc who is stalking labourers working on the Albert River Bridge, in Burketown.

Independent MP for Kennedy Bob Katter says the crocodile is threatening humans, therefore humans should have the right to threaten the crocodile.

But what he is failing to understand is the crocodile is only threatening the humans because they have entered its territory. Every animal, including humans, feels the need to protect their home.

These angry crocs are clearly protecting their territory. Mr Booker went into an area that was clearly marked as a crocodile habitat, and the croc retailated. Similarily, the crocodile in Burketown is agitated because its mate was killed and decapitated by trophy hunters. Not only is this act despicable, but it is also illegal.

Koorana Saltwater Crocodile Farm spokesperson Lillian Lever says people need to leave these animals alone or at least be aware of the areas where these creatures live.

If people advocate the killing of crocodiles there is the chance that they will be wiping out sectors of the ecosystem. The killing of these predators means their prey, further down on the food chain, will be able to breed and become the new large predators. This group then has the potential to completely wipe out their prey by outnumbering and overpowering them.

The killing of crocodiles is not the answer, because the flow-on effects are a lot deeper than they appear. These creatures were around long before humans, and we must understand their behaviours and respect their environment in order to protect this species. They are a part of Australia’s identity, and an important part of the natural order of things.

Read more about the recent crocodile attacks at QUT News.

By Elisha Hulme.