06/10/2005 - A proposal
to allow the export of crocodile trophies
by safari hunters in the Northern Territory
has been rejected by the Australian Government,
the Minister for the Environment and Heritage,
Senator Ian Campbell, said today.
The controlled humane and safe taking of some
600 crocodiles each year from the wild for
farming, skin and flesh production will be
permitted to continue. This continues a practice
that has been undertaken in the NT by trained
wildlife officers under the previously approved
management plan.
Problem crocodiles will also continue to
be properly managed by trained specialist
staff under the plan.
The Northern Territory Government submitted
its draft crocodile management plan for Australian
Government approval under the Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
1999 (EPBC Act) last year. The final plan
was received in March this year.
An important aspect of the new plan was a
proposal by the NT Government to allow for
up to 25 of the 600 crocodiles to be taken
by commercial trophy hunters, and the export
of the crocodile parts such as heads and skins.
The Australian Government has responsibility
for exports and imports and therefore regulates
activities where wildlife is exported overseas
under the EPBC Act.
Senator Campbell decided to approve the management
plan, but not allow the export of crocodile
trophies by safari hunters.
In deciding whether to approve the crocodile
management plan, federal legislation requires
consideration of a range of issues including
possible impacts on ecosystems and habitats,
conservation of the species, effectiveness
of management arrangements, and the humane
treatment of wildlife.
“I have considered the matter very carefully,
taking into account the views of the public
and a range of experts, and I have decided
to approve the overall management plan - without
the safari hunting aspect,” Senator Campbell
said.
“I do not believe that safari hunting of crocodiles
is consistent with a modern day approach to
animal welfare and responsible management,”
Senator Campbell said.
Senator Campbell said the decision would
not prevent the on-going controlled removal
of problem crocodiles to protect the public
and livestock.
