Neighbors and wildlife officials in Australia are mourning the loss of a community icon.
What’s happening?
A five-meter-long saltwater crocodile, known as “Big John,” was found decapitated and tangled in a fishing net in late July. The unusual nature of the reptile’s death sparked an investigation, with law enforcement reaching out to the public for help.
“Big John was more than a crocodile. He was a guardian of our waterways, a link to our ancestral knowledge, and a living reminder of why we protect and care for our land and sea country,” said Gunggandji Aboriginal Corporation in a social media post. “Words can’t express the sadness we feel at his passing.”
A spokesperson for the GAC stated that the net tangled around the crocodile was not abandoned, leading officials to believe it was intentionally cast. Officials say possessing crocodile body parts, like a skull, is illegal and qualifies as poaching. The offense carries a maximum fine of nearly $38,000.
Why is poaching important?
Poaching is not only cruel and harmful to animal populations, but it also impacts humans. Killing well-known animals in a community can reduce tourism brought about by those animals. It can reduce income to an area while also projecting an image that a community is a risky place to visit.
Illegal wildlife trafficking can leave humans vulnerable to a whole host of zoonotic diseases, too. Between live market trading and the increased popularity of bushmeat, humans who engage with wildlife on the black market are more likely to be infected.
What’s being done about poaching?
Australia, in particular, is working to conserve the habitats of saltwater crocodiles. Since the early 20th century, when the population dwindled to around 3,000, the nation has pushed for conservation legislation to save the species. Now, numbers are well over 100,000.
Investigators are still searching for a suspect in this croc killing. They’ve set up a tipline so locals can assist with the investigation.
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