A very warm and 'sticky' greeting from Croker Island.
Recently we had two Northern Territory Government Fisheries officers visit. On one of the days the rangers took them on a coastal patrol. One of the tasks was to secure the net below with some star pickets. When the track to this area dries after the wet season we will winch the net up the beach and dispose of it. (If you double click on the photos you get a larger and clearer photo).
Last week we were heading over the flood plain to the west side of the island to conduct an Aquatic Biosecurity Survey when we came across this dead crocodile on the road to the airport. It was a 3.1 meters female.
We were all puzzled by what or who had caused the croc's death. There was wound on the top of it's skull. Some of the rangers were convinced that it had been shot. I was not so sure.
There were a couple of other marks/cuts on its back. We reported this to the Water Police who happened to be in town. Their investigations revealed that a local resident had accidentally run over the croc as they drove along this road the previous night, while under the influence of alcohol - that would have been an interesting encounter!! I suspect that they may have sobered up very quickly. Sadly, the croc's venturing out of the water and onto the road proved to be a bad move. Never an dull moment!
Part of the Garngi Rangers work with Biosecurity Australia involves going around to all the houses in Minjilang and recording every fruit tree or vegetable plant. Last week one of their officers visited. Below the rangers are using an iPad with a Biosecurity App to do this recording which is then uploaded when we return to the office.
Next month a group of Biosecurity Australia scientists will return to take a closer look at any houses that have gardens that may be of interest. All this is done to help keep nasty plant diseases out of Australia.
Today (Sunday) Clayton and I were called out for a search and rescue. Some turtle hunters had not returned. The Garngi Ranger boat is the largest boat on the island and due to the 'fee for service' work that we do it is also 'in survey'. This means that is has all the safety gear etc. On the way we decided to search around Sandy Bay in case the hunters were walking back along the coast - which is exactly what had happened. Below the four young men.
They were very happy to accept our offer of some food and water.
We made our way further south to where their boat had been left. In the dark they had hit a reef and broken the prop shaft. As we approached their boat it started to rain. Fortunately the heaviest rain passed to our west.
Then the slow trip back towing the disabled boat.
Back at Minjilang Beach we farewell the tired hunters .........
And allow them to 'pole' themselves the last few meters with their turtle harpoon pole while Clayton and I returned to the boat ramp/barge landing which is about 4 kms away.
It was an interesting and successful day ....... even though it was not quite what we had planned for our Sunday.
Breaking News - Nancy is flying to Darwin on 19 March and then to Croker Island on 22 March. That's good news!!
Cheers for now.
Comments
I bet you'll be glad to have Nancy back and reakon she will be glad to get back for a holiday she hasn't stopped since she came back.well we are coping the rain hear now been steady for a couple of days.looking forward to your next blog
.bye for now
Ken
Who is Nancy? Haha! Yes it will be good to have her back.
The monsoon is in a quieter period at the moment. That said, we got a good storm a couple of mornings ago.
When the monsoon is active there is complete cloud cover which results in quite pleasant conditions. Now that there is a lot more sunshine, it makes it very steamy when working outside - and we have been doing some spraying of weeds lately so one doesn't go far from the water bottle.
Stay dry. Cheers Bryan