ET ON TAIL OF CROCS

News Source: UQ NEWS Magazine, page 7, September Issue, 2004


A heavenly view of crocodiles is challenging earthly beliefs.

A world-first project involving the satellite-tracking of large estuarine crocodiles has taken a bite out of traditional myths surrounding their behaviour.

Environment Minister John Mickel and "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, unveiled the findings of the Crocs in Space research project at Australia Zoo on August 4.

The results of the project are helping change management and conservation practices in Queensland.

"The partnership involving the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS), Australia Zoo and The University of Queensland has uncovered new facts about how crocodiles use their habitat," Mr Mickel said.

"Until the research began, little was known about the movement patterns of crocodiles.

"After 10 months of research we have a greater understanding of how estuarine crocodiles, which are most likely to interact with people, behave in different habitats and how they travel and this has implications for management."

The research team comprises QPWS researcher and UQ graduate Dr Mark Read, Steve Irwin and Paul O'Callaghan from Australia Zoo, and Professor Gordon Grigg and Associate Professor Craig Franklin from UQ's School of Life Sciences.

Mr Mickel said Australia Zoo's contribution had transformed a small but meaningful study into a major research project of worldwide significance.

Results from the project showed the satellite transmissions were overlapping, indicating that large estuarine crocodiles appeared to be far more tolerant of other large males than prevously thought.

The findings have implications for management and conservation, particularly near urban areas.

Prior to this research, it was believed that one large male controlled one section of the river, excluding all other males from that territory.

Australia Zoo joined the project in December 2002 when Mr Irwin signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Environmental Protection Agency.

"Who would've ever thought we'd be tracking crocodiles, some of the worlds most ancient predators, in the remote rivers of far north Queensland from a satellite way out in space," Mr Irwin said.

"These prehistoric reptiles have lived a secret life for millions of years and this partnership with the Queensland Governement has blown the mysteries out of the water."

Crocs in Space was the first project to use satellite telemetry as a tool to track the movement patterns of estuarine crocodiles.

It involved 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.

Professor Franklin said the success of the current collaboration was paving the way for further research.

"We know very little about the diving feats of the estuarine crocodile, especially the big ones," he said.

"There are some exciting discoveries waiting to be made that are now becoming possible given the talents and expertise of the assembled team."