Read et al., 2004:

"A total of 6444 Crocodylus porosus (4303 non-hatchlings and 2141 hatchlings) were recorded during 196 vessel-based surveys of 103 waterways to determine the distribution and abundance of Crocodylus porosus in Queensland.  The surveys, conducted from January 1994 to December 2000, covered 4174.3km of waterway. 

The distribution and abundance of the C. porosus population in Queensland is spatially variable and related to the availability of suitable nesting habitat.  

The mean relative density of non-hatchling C. porosus was highest in waterways of north-western Cape York Peninsula and Lakefield National Park, and lowest for waterways along the populated east coast of Queensland.

The number of crocodiles is highest for the waterways of the North Western Cape York Peninsula region, because this area supports some of the best nesting habitat in Queensland.  The population of C. porosus in Queensland is biased towards immature crocodiles with very few large animals sighted.   

The C. porosus population in northern Queensland appears to be undergoing a limited recovery, with marginal increases in the mean relative density of non-hatchlings in seven of the eight crocodile biogeographic regions.

It is suggested that population growth is restricted by a combination of factors, including a lack of suitable nesting habitat, incidental capture of large animals in nets set for commercial finfish species, habitat degradation and modification and the selective removal of large 'problem' crocodiles under approved management plans.  On the basis of this combination of factors, it is suggested that large numbers of large C. porosus will be supported only in remote areas on Cape York Peninsula and the Gulf of Carpentaria."

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Citation and/or URL

Read, M.A., Miller, J.D., Bell, I.P. & Felton, A. 2004, The distribution and abundance of the estuarine crocodile, Crocodylus porosus, in Queensland. Wildlife Research, 31: 527-534.  ©CSIRO 2004.  CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Australia.  http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/144/paper/WR02025.htm

Spatial Coverage

Waterways between Gladstone and the Northern Territory border

Temporal Coverage

1994 to 2000

Update Frequency

Not applicable 

Other Information

 None