Hidden danger: Family's relaxing swim takes an unexpected and dangerous turn
- Replies 6
Australians are a tough and adventurous bunch. We're lucky to live in a country with jaw-dropping natural beauty, and we're always up for thrilling outdoor activities that let us soak it all in.
Picture this: trekking through the desert on the back of a camel, sailing along the breathtaking northern coastline, camping in the wilderness with a trusty 4WD, biking through rugged mountains, or paddling in a kayak.
And let's not forget about taking a refreshing dip in some of the most stunning and secluded swimming spots you can imagine.
One of those hidden gems is Wangi Falls, just an hour south of Darwin. It's a slice of paradise nestled amidst lush forests, a tranquil oasis that's perfect for a family outing. You can wade into the calm shallows, let the grandkids splash around, and capture some picture-perfect family moments against the backdrop of nature's wonders.
But here's where the Wild family learned a valuable lesson—the hard way, unfortunately. When you're out exploring the Australian bush, there's always a chance of encountering unexpected dangers. And let us tell you, crocodiles can be quite the sneaky troublemakers.
While they were enjoying a swim at Wangi Falls, little did they know it was the same spot a 2.4-metre saltwater croc unexpectedly attacked a 67-year-old local man on Monday.
Cam Wild shared his experience on social media, saying: 'When you think you have this beautiful waterhole all to yourself…and then realise you were sharing it with a croc!'
The Wild family had another stroke of bad luck when they encountered a similar situation for the second time in just two weeks. They had been enjoying a swim in waterholes, only to have them closed shortly after due to crocodile sightings.
Prior to this incident, the family had also taken a dip in the renowned Bitter Springs, located in Elsey National Park in the Northern Territory. It was just a short while later that a 2.5-meter crocodile was spotted in the inviting waters.
'Might just stick to swimming pools now,' wrote Mr Wild, obviously shaken by the incidents.
Others who commented on the post urged everyone to be 'croc safe' when swimming in the NT.
'Unfortunately, it will take an incident for some people to understand,' wrote one, while another shared their own croc sighting story, during which they were already in the water when they realised something was amiss.
In response to the harrowing incident, the government has urged people to only swim in designated areas and to 'never swim in water where crocodiles may live even if there is no warning sign'.
According to the Chief Minister, Natasa Fyles, staff have also proposed reintroducing crocodile culling—something that stopped in the 1970s—due to the significant and concerning rise in the crocodile population.
Senior Constable Taneka Starr, a Tasmanian detective, was holidaying at the time of the 67-year-olds attack.
Starr got her family out of the water safely and used her medical experience to provide first aid to the victim until help arrived.
In this case, the local rangers came and shot the offending animal—which is the only way to guarantee public safety and the preservation of the local wildlife.
The croc was then turned at the hands of the local hunter, Roger Matthews, from flesh into pet food and skin into leather goods; with the hunter even giving the victim the skull of the animal 'as a bit of a memento of the Northern Territory experience', as Mr Matthews phrased it.
So, members, if you're planning to take a holiday anytime soon and your destination is the NT, then for your own safety, we highly recommend you educate yourself on croc safety tips.
Follow the government's advice and stay out of the water in areas that don't have designated safe swimming signs.
Check for warning signs, too, before taking any risks, and if you feel your safety is at risk, then err on the side of caution; after all, when it comes to wild animals, it's always better to be safe than sorry!
Have you ever had any experience with wild animals? Share your stories with us in the comments below!
Picture this: trekking through the desert on the back of a camel, sailing along the breathtaking northern coastline, camping in the wilderness with a trusty 4WD, biking through rugged mountains, or paddling in a kayak.
And let's not forget about taking a refreshing dip in some of the most stunning and secluded swimming spots you can imagine.
One of those hidden gems is Wangi Falls, just an hour south of Darwin. It's a slice of paradise nestled amidst lush forests, a tranquil oasis that's perfect for a family outing. You can wade into the calm shallows, let the grandkids splash around, and capture some picture-perfect family moments against the backdrop of nature's wonders.
But here's where the Wild family learned a valuable lesson—the hard way, unfortunately. When you're out exploring the Australian bush, there's always a chance of encountering unexpected dangers. And let us tell you, crocodiles can be quite the sneaky troublemakers.
A family unknowingly swam in croc-infested waters at Wangi Falls. Credit: Instagram/wildtouring.
While they were enjoying a swim at Wangi Falls, little did they know it was the same spot a 2.4-metre saltwater croc unexpectedly attacked a 67-year-old local man on Monday.
Cam Wild shared his experience on social media, saying: 'When you think you have this beautiful waterhole all to yourself…and then realise you were sharing it with a croc!'
The Wild family had another stroke of bad luck when they encountered a similar situation for the second time in just two weeks. They had been enjoying a swim in waterholes, only to have them closed shortly after due to crocodile sightings.
Prior to this incident, the family had also taken a dip in the renowned Bitter Springs, located in Elsey National Park in the Northern Territory. It was just a short while later that a 2.5-meter crocodile was spotted in the inviting waters.
'Might just stick to swimming pools now,' wrote Mr Wild, obviously shaken by the incidents.
Others who commented on the post urged everyone to be 'croc safe' when swimming in the NT.
'Unfortunately, it will take an incident for some people to understand,' wrote one, while another shared their own croc sighting story, during which they were already in the water when they realised something was amiss.
In response to the harrowing incident, the government has urged people to only swim in designated areas and to 'never swim in water where crocodiles may live even if there is no warning sign'.
According to the Chief Minister, Natasa Fyles, staff have also proposed reintroducing crocodile culling—something that stopped in the 1970s—due to the significant and concerning rise in the crocodile population.
Senior Constable Taneka Starr, a Tasmanian detective, was holidaying at the time of the 67-year-olds attack.
Starr got her family out of the water safely and used her medical experience to provide first aid to the victim until help arrived.
In this case, the local rangers came and shot the offending animal—which is the only way to guarantee public safety and the preservation of the local wildlife.
The croc was then turned at the hands of the local hunter, Roger Matthews, from flesh into pet food and skin into leather goods; with the hunter even giving the victim the skull of the animal 'as a bit of a memento of the Northern Territory experience', as Mr Matthews phrased it.
So, members, if you're planning to take a holiday anytime soon and your destination is the NT, then for your own safety, we highly recommend you educate yourself on croc safety tips.
Follow the government's advice and stay out of the water in areas that don't have designated safe swimming signs.
Check for warning signs, too, before taking any risks, and if you feel your safety is at risk, then err on the side of caution; after all, when it comes to wild animals, it's always better to be safe than sorry!
Have you ever had any experience with wild animals? Share your stories with us in the comments below!
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