Growing Croc Numbers Close Oz Park Swimming Holes To Tourists - Reuters

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SYDNEY - "A record number of crocodiles in Australia's famous Kakadu National Park has forced the closure of tourist swimming waterholes as the giant reptiles have been attacking boats, outboard motors and handheld nets.

Saltwater crocodiles have been a protected species in the Northern Territory since 1971 and their number has now grown to around 70,000, up from 3,000 some 30 years ago.

A 56-year-old fisherman was attacked in Kakadu in March when a four metre (13 feet) crocodile jumped onto his boat and bit him on the head, park rangers said. The man survived with grazes and puncture wounds to his left arm and head. "The number of crocodile incidents has increased," Kakadu National Park Ranger Garry Lindner told Reuters on Thursday.

Lindner said there had been reports of crocodiles attacking boats, "bumping them, biting the outboard or coming up and biting the landing nets out of people's hands. We have got to be prepared on a daily basis for an incident even though they might only occur every now and then," he said."

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http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/30702/story.htm