Posted on 08/23/2005 9:04:39 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
A NORTHERN Territory saltwater crocodile is being tracked by a space satellite in a new research project.
NT Parks and Wildlife Minister Marion Scrymgour said the 4.2m male croc, named Sputnik, was being watched to see how far it travels in the region.
Researchers from New Zealand's Massey University and NT Parks and Wildlife staff fitted a satellite tracking device to the crocodile in the Adelaide River, south of Darwin, five weeks ago, she said.
It was hoped the study would give researchers an insight into the behaviour and movement of crocodiles, particularly problem crocodiles that move into Darwin Harbour and into the upstream reaches of freshwater rivers," Ms Scrymgour said.
People can log on to www.croctrack.org.nz to check the crocodile's movements.
"The satellite transmitter is attached to the crocodile's back and transmits a signal to a satellite, recording the animal's location every four days ... this process will occur over 12 months," she said.
Last year NT Parks and Wildlife rangers caught 218 crocodiles in Darwin Harbour and 10 crocodiles in the Katherine River.
"Purse Country"
Look later
That sounds like the best place for a croc to go.
"First they came for the crocodiles, but I did not speak out, because I was not a crocodile."
What a croc! ..."The Dome of the Croc"..
Haha ... very clever.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.