Berry Springs has been a popular recreational swimming destination since the 1940s. Located south of Darwin in the Northern Territory it attracts thousands of visitors each year who come to swim in the freshwater pools and enjoy the shaded picnic grounds during the dry season.
Image: Wild Creek Graphics: Swimmer enjoying the pool during open season.
Like many waterways across the Top End Berry Springs exists within crocodile habitat. The freshwater system connects to the Blackmore River which eventually flows into Darwin Harbour. As part of the park's management wildlife rangers maintain crocodile traps upstream of the main swimming area and regularly monitor the system for crocodile activity.
Image: Wild Creek Graphics: Signage displayed at the park during closure.
In 2009 one of those traps was engaged.
Inside was the largest crocodile ever captured at Berry Springs. The saltwater crocodile measured approximately 4.7 metres and had bowed sections of the steel trap mesh following its capture. A team of wildlife rangers was assembled to remove and relocate the animal.
The capture highlights the importance of the Northern Territory's crocodile management program. For a crocodile of this size to reach Berry Springs it would have travelled through connected waterways from Darwin Harbour into the freshwater system.
Image: Supplied Evan Dixon: Robbie Risk (Wildlife Ranger)
Darwin Harbour is managed as a crocodile exclusion zone with a network of traps that are regularly checked by wildlife rangers. Crocodiles captured within the harbour are removed as part of ongoing public safety operations. Despite these measures crocodiles can still move considerable distances through interconnected waterways.
Berry Springs closes seasonally during the wet season when water levels rise and crocodile movements become less predictable. Prior to reopening each year wildlife rangers undertake crocodile management activities throughout the system.
Image: Supplied Evan Dixon: Robbie Risk & Marcus Dixon (Former Wildlife Rangers)