Human remains found in Australian crocodile
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
SYDNEY, Oct 14 (AFP): Australian police say they have found human remains in the stomach of a giant crocodile captured in a remote area where a fisherman went missing late last month.
Arthur Booker, 62, disappeared on September 30 after he went to check crab pots while holidaying with his wife near Cooktown, in the so-called "Cape Crocodile" region of far north Queensland.
Queensland state police said late Monday that forensic tests had determined material taken from the stomach of a 4.5 metre (15 foot) crocodile captured in the area where Booker was last seen came from a human male.
They said more detailed DNA analysis was needed to positively identify the remains as those of Booker, reportedly a Scottish-born Vietnam War veteran. Australian media reported that before the human remains were confirmed, X-rays of the crocodile had revealed a wedding ring in its stomach. Police said the X-rays showed a circular object in the reptile's gut but could not confirm it was a wedding band. Booker's wife, who had been waiting for him in their car when he went to check the crab pots, alerted authorities when he failed to return.
She found some of his belongings, including a camera, close to crocodile marks near the water.
The incident has sparked calls among some locals for a cull of saltwater crocodiles, which are a protected species under Australian law.
However, the father of the late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin earlier this month said there should be no revenge attacks against the giant reptiles.
"We have to remember that the crocodile is a vital part of the eco-system and it was behaving naturally," naturalist Bob Irwin told brisbanetimes.com.au.
Arthur Booker, 62, disappeared on September 30 after he went to check crab pots while holidaying with his wife near Cooktown, in the so-called "Cape Crocodile" region of far north Queensland.
Queensland state police said late Monday that forensic tests had determined material taken from the stomach of a 4.5 metre (15 foot) crocodile captured in the area where Booker was last seen came from a human male.
They said more detailed DNA analysis was needed to positively identify the remains as those of Booker, reportedly a Scottish-born Vietnam War veteran. Australian media reported that before the human remains were confirmed, X-rays of the crocodile had revealed a wedding ring in its stomach. Police said the X-rays showed a circular object in the reptile's gut but could not confirm it was a wedding band. Booker's wife, who had been waiting for him in their car when he went to check the crab pots, alerted authorities when he failed to return.
She found some of his belongings, including a camera, close to crocodile marks near the water.
The incident has sparked calls among some locals for a cull of saltwater crocodiles, which are a protected species under Australian law.
However, the father of the late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin earlier this month said there should be no revenge attacks against the giant reptiles.
"We have to remember that the crocodile is a vital part of the eco-system and it was behaving naturally," naturalist Bob Irwin told brisbanetimes.com.au.