Queensland is Australia’s northeast state, and recently they have changed a law banning people from taking wild crocodile eggs. The law in question has been in place since the 1980s, however since then the Northern Territory has allowed the taking of wild crocodile eggs. Allowing up to 100,000 being taken a year. Queensland just allowing 5,000 to be taken a year but this is still a huge environmental step back. It brings me back to a few weeks ago when China allowed the sale of Rhino horns to be legalized once again. So many countries are taking environmental steps back, when in reality these are the times there should be a bigger push. These animals are also on the vulnerable list, meaning they are one step away from endangerment and the lack of baby crocodiles every year will most definitely affect their population growth. At the very end of it, it comes down to what people value more, money or the planet and so many people are choosing money. Not even considering the fact that this animal is an apex predator in this region of the world meaning that other populations will grow rapidly due to the lack of crocodiles. People need to learn that meddling in biodiverse areas are going to throw off natural balances. Reading more into the article you also find out that the northern territory in Australia lets up to 100,000 of these eggs be captured per year. I understand they’re somewhat deemed as pests in this part of the world but that is an extraordinary amount, these are creatures who have been around for millions of years living in their natural habitat just to get killed to be turned into leather. As sad as it is, it seems to be a trend to leave these animals behind as our world “progresses”.
