Search operation unsuccessful

Girl (12) missing – probably killed by crocodile

Emergency services have been searching feverishly since Tuesday afternoon for a twelve-year-old girl in the tropical north of Australia. She was last seen swimming in a stream called Mango Creek about 350 kilometers southwest of Darwin. Investigators suspect that she was attacked and killed by a crocodile ...

Officials and local residents are using boats to search a large stretch of water near the Aboriginal community of Nganmarriyanga, it said. But in vain. "Our thoughts are with the family and the community," said police spokeswoman Erica Gibson. 

Saltwater crocodiles extremely aggressive
Both saltwater and freshwater crocodiles live in the region. Saltwater crocodiles, which can grow up to six meters long, are considered far more dangerous and extremely aggressive. Freshwater crocodiles, which can be up to three meters long and are known as "freshies", only attack humans if they feel threatened. However, the attacks are usually not fatal.

"Problem crocodile" eaten together
According to the Northern Territory government, more than 100,000 crocodiles live in the region. On average, there are two fatal crocodile attacks per year throughout Australia.

(Bild: AFP/AFP, NT Police)

As recently as June, members of an Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory shot and collectively ate a "problem crocodile" that had repeatedly approached animals and people (see picture above).