Crocodile expert shows how to scare off reptile in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory after stalking
How Crocodile Whisperer Expertly Sent a Huge Saltie Back into the Ocean After It Started Chasing It — Explaining Exactly Why It Thought It Was Prey in the First Place
- David McMahon came face to face with a crocodile
- He filmed the meeting to teach others something
- The nature expert has 10 years of experience
A wildlife expert has revealed how he sent a huge crocodile back into the ocean after he started listing it as a piece of prey.
David McMahon was collecting clams along a remote stretch of the Northern Territory’s Arnhem Land coast on March 17 when he saw the giant reptile take him in from afar in the crystal-clear salt water.
The wildlife veteran, who has 10 years of experience working with some of Australia’s deadliest animals, took out his phone to film what happened and explained why he was seen as prey.
Mr McMahon then revealed how he managed to turn the tables on the reptile in seconds.
“While I’m crouching like that, I’m potential prey, but when I get up, I go from potential prey to potential threat in the blink of an eye,” McMahon said in the video.
David McMahon was collecting clams when he filmed a crocodile picking him up as prey (pictured)
Mr. McMahon (pictured) has been working with crocodiles both in and out of captivity for over 10 years
Mr McMahon is a naturalist and has worked in both the education and management of captive crocodiles, but said he still respects the dangers they pose.
“If you’re not intimidated by crocodiles, something’s wrong,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
“Crocodiles are opportunistic predators and to stay safe all you have to do is take the opportunity away.”
In the video posted online, Mr. McMahon shows how quickly the crocodile moved away after asserting its dominance.
While Mr. McMahon prevailed and could see the crocodile in the shallow and clear water, he said things would have been very different if he had been in a deep or murky river.
“In a muddy riverbank, it would all be over before I even knew what was going on,” he said.
Mr. McMahon said he had had some terrifying experiences with crocodiles.
‘[One night] I was with some friends in a small boat along the coast of Arnhem Land and we were woken up at 3 am by a large crocodile chewing on the bottom of the boat,” he said.
“We scanned the water for the crocodile’s eyes, but it wasn’t until an hour later that he came back and did it again.
“We were able to spear the crocodile in the tail before it could sink us and then it left us alone for the rest of the sleepless night.”
David McMahon was collecting clams along a remote stretch of coast of Arnhem Land (pictured) in the Northern Territory when he noticed the apex predator approaching
Mr McMahon (pictured) is a naturalist and has worked in both the education and management of captive crocodiles
Mr. McMahon is a strong supporter of protecting crocodiles in remote areas as they are the region’s main apex predator and naturally regulate the ecosystem.
In addition to the environmental benefits of preserving the 160-million-year-old species, they also attract crowds of tourists eager to see the national icon.
Mr. McMahon uses his expertise to teach others how to stay safe around crocodiles, even making crocodiles documentary series and films about his travels through the bush.
“When you’re in crocodile country, keep your wits about you and stay clear of the water,” he said.
In crystal clear waters, Crocs are hard to miss, but in murkier rivers you might not see them until it’s too late, warned Mr McMahon (photo Adelaide River of Darwin)