Tracking crocodiles travel with technology

More than 130 crocodiles have been captured and fitted with waterproof transmitters as part of a long term University of Queensland study into how the creatures use the environment. The data-gathering program is the largest and longest of its type, beginning in 2008 and set for another 10 years thanks to a new generation of acoustic tags.

"Our goal is to understand the role of crocs in the ecosystem and look how they move into the river systems, estuaries, creeks and waterholes," - Craig Franklin, UQ School of Biological Sciences

The study found small crocs hide in creeks, while reptiles in the five metre category rule water holes and that estuarine crocs can move 1000km in a year and up to 60 km a day. Professor Franklin said his team was using the information to build computer models that might predict the travel plans of estuarine crocs when influenced by climate change. For more, check out the article at the Brisbane Times You can follow the movements of several of the tagged crocodiles online at http://www.uq.edu.au/eco-lab/crocodile-tracks.