Snapped up: Wildlife ranger poses next to terrifying 13FT crocodile caught lurking in Australian harbour

By SIMON TOMLINSON

PUBLISHED: 15:49, 5 February 2013 | UPDATED: 15:52, 5 February 2013

A female wildlife ranger gives the thumbs-up after snaring a 13ft crocodile in an operation to keep the terrifying species away from humans.

The 2,000lb creature was pulled out of a trap in Darwin Harbour in Australia's Northern Territory before having its eyes covered with tape and its gigantic jaws bound firmly shut.

It was then strapped down to a trailer with cables and ropes before being moved as part of a relocation programme by the Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Commission (NTPWC).

The number of saltwater crocodiles removed from waters in from the Top End area of north Australia reached record levels last year.

The NTPWC captured 314 over the 12-month period, including 215 from Darwin Harbour alone.

One of those included a 4.26m male which was caught in May, according to ABC Darwin.

Speaking when the figures were released in December, senior wildlife ranger Tom Nichols said it served as a reminder of the dangers that crocodiles pose to the public.

He said: 'This means behaving responsibly in and around Territory waters and not putting yourself or others at risk of crocodile attack.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2273894/Snapped-Wildlife-ranger-poses-terrifying-13FT-crocodile-snaring-Australian-harbour.html#ixzz2O072qhwm