By T. Jayani, JadeTimes News
Mr. Hayes was in the process of adopting a massive crocodile when the Northern Territory (NT) government announced a ban on issuing new permits for keeping these reptiles as pets. This decision has left him devastated, with the crocodile he intended to rescue now at risk of being euthanized. NT Environment Minister Kate Worden stated that the decision was made after public consultation, considering both personal safety and animal welfare concerns.
While existing permits remain valid, they cannot be transferred to new owners. Minister Worden emphasized that crocodiles, as apex predators, are not suitable for captivity, citing incidents where crocodiles have attacked their owners in the region. The new regulations align the NT with other Australian states and territories, except Victoria, which has a climate unsuitable for saltwater crocodiles.
Animal activists view this as a significant victory, arguing that wild animals cannot have their needs fully met in captivity. Olivia Charlton from World Animal Protection highlighted that the natural environment of crocodiles, including their long lifespan of up to 70 years, cannot be replicated in captivity. Charles Giliam from RSPCA NT added that the dangerous nature of crocodiles makes it difficult to regulate their care and ensure they receive proper living conditions and medical attention.
However, crocodile owners are distressed by the sudden change, claiming they were unaware of the impending rule and accusing the government of concealing it within a broader Crocodile Management Plan to avoid proper consultation. They argue that, despite their size and reputation, crocodiles are easy to care for in captivity if provided with the right conditions, and some owners even have wild crocodiles attempting to join their enclosures.
The opposition environment spokeswoman, Jo Hersey, stated that the Country Liberal Party (CLP) supports the right of Territorians to own crocodiles as pets under a permit system and has promised to review the rules if elected. Both Mr. Hayes and Mr. Sullivan, another crocodile owner, agree that stricter training and education requirements for permit holders are reasonable but believe that keeping crocodiles as pets is not inherently harmful.
For Mr. Sullivan, the timing of the decision is particularly challenging. He had put his property and wildlife collection up for sale last year to move to New Zealand, but with 80 acres and 11 crocodiles on the market and no permits available for transfer, he faces a difficult dilemma. He refuses to consider euthanizing his crocodiles, saying he will stay on the property until he dies or until the situation changes.
Sullivan hopes that the election of a CLP government on Saturday might bring about a change, believing the issue could rally voters. However, Hayes believes there are more significant issues at stake in the election and remains hopeful that both parties will reconsider the decision, viewing it as an attack on the Territory’s way of life.
