Geraldton-Greenough Wildlife Rescue conservationist Michelle Jones helps with Queensland crocodile study

A wildlife conservationist from the Mid West played a helping hand in a national crocodile study last month.

Michelle Jones, part of GG Wildlife Rescue, flew to far north Queensland to lend a hand in research with the University of Queensland and Australia Zoo.

The study involved tracking crocodiles to identify their habits as well as their movements over a period of time.

Ms Jones said they continued to discover more about the reptile.

“There’s 277 that we’ve been studying, and we’re finding out what they’re eating, where they go in the wet season,” she said.

“Less than 30 per cent of the crocodiles that are being studied up there are female, and we’re finding out some of the DNA related crocodiles, a couple of large boss crocs, are territorial over parts of the river system.”

Studies are done by safely capturing the crocodiles and placing a tracker on them, lasting up to 10 years.

Ms Jones said the tracking had led to valuable information being gathered.

“Even through their tiny little cerebral cortex of the brain is small, they will actually make their way back home,” she said.

“It means the relocation of every large crocodile is not possible.

“People need to learn to live around crocodiles in crocodile territory, and make sure both crocs and the human population living around the water’s edge stay safe.”

Mid West residents are at low risk of running into crocodiles, with the reptiles being uncommon in the area.

However, Ms Jones said those travelling north into the Gascoyne should be aware of the dangers.

“They’ve come as far down as Exmouth . . . with global warming we’re noticing the water getting warmer and the crocodiles moving down,” she said.

“To be croc-aware is to be safe and understand that they do move, and can end up in different places.”

She stressed that the animals weren’t something to be afraid of, rather to keep in mind.

The study, which involved the work of renowned conservationist Terri Irwin, was a career highlight, according to Ms Jones.