Locals will now be able to legally raid wild crocodile nests and take their eggs for meat, skins and even the odd luxury croc skin handbag under changes to state conservation laws, according to the ABC.
Previously, the practice was banned in Queensland – unlike the Northern Territory where it’s been legal since the 1980s.
Now you’ll only need to apply for a license to ship the eggs off to farms to be hatched and turned into the latest fashions.
The Department of Environment and Science (DES) says hunters will be subject to strict guidelines including taking a limit of 5,000 eggs per year.
“Licence holders will be required to monitor crocodile numbers to ensure the harvesting is not having a detrimental impact on the local population,” their spokesperson said.
We’re more concerned it will be detrimental to another population – the human one.
Let’s face it – there are some people who just shouldn’t be allowed near the water.
But with eggs fetching up to $20 each – and premium crocodile skins worth about $1,000 each – the move is expected to give the state’s economy a healthy boost.
Just as long as it’s not boosting the state’s funeral homes too.
