The more-travelled chatliner will have noticed that the
crypto-birdwatcher which appeared in a previous message on this subject was a
New Guinea carved figure from the Murik Lakes, near the mouth of the Sepik
River. This is the home area of Michael Somare, the present Prime
Minister, who first gained that position at independence, back in 1975.
Crocodiles (“puk-puks”) are totemic objects for several New Guinea peoples, as
are hornbills (“kokomos”) and cassowaries (“muruks”, not to be confused with
“muriks”). I suppose crocodiles are still responsible for a few deaths
and maulings among village people each year. In the 1960s, hunting for
skins dramatically reduced crocodile numbers and a ban was introduced on
dealing in skins of over 20 inches in belly width, corresponding to a live body
length of 8 to 9 feet. This was an attempt to conserve the breeding
stock. I may be wrong, but I believe that commercial crocodile farming,
as now practised at some places in Australia, was first developed in New Guinea
under the Australian Administration.
-----Original Message-----
From: Rod's Gardening [
Sent: Saturday, 17 October 2009 11:09 PM
To: con
Cc: COG line
Subject: "It was big enough to swallow a birdwatcher
whole...".
In 1966 - 71 when I was in Darwin people used to camp on
the dry season
banks of the Daly River and wade down the Howard River to
catch Barramundi.
They don't do it today. Croc population then was
only a few thousand.
Today, according to the Yellow Water tour guide on our
recent holiday, there
are estimated to be 80,000. Re crocs and birds, our
guide also said they
dont seem to worry the Jabirus, which have been known to
kill small crocs
with their large powerful bills.
Cheers
Rod
