Police in Australia’s Northern Territory are searching for a missing 12-year-old child feared to have been attacked by a crocodile. The child was last seen swimming in a creek in the remote community of Palumpa. Initial reports suggest a crocodile attack may have occurred.
There are over 100,000 saltwater crocodiles in the Northern Territory, where they have been protected since 1971. They can reach up to 20 feet in length and are the largest species of crocodile in the world, though fatal attacks on humans are rare. Last month, a crocodile in a different part of the territory was captured and killed after reportedly posing a threat to humans and pets.
In response to concerns about human safety, officials in the Northern Territory have increased the number of crocodiles allowed to be removed annually to 1,200 in a 10-year management plan released this year. Search efforts for the missing child are ongoing, with officers scouring a large section of the creek by boat. The community and family are receiving support during this difficult time.
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