Man wades into Australia’s most crocodile infested river to fish

A man has been labelled an “idiot” for walking into Australia’s most croc infested river to fish for barramundi in front of his family and horrified onlookers.

Footage has emerged on social media of a man fishing at Shady Camp in Mary River in the Northern Territory, which is recognised as one of the best fishing spots for barramundi in the Top End.

The river also averages about 15 saltwater crocodiles per kilometre, making it the highest density area in the world for the large reptiles.

It is estimated there are about 100,000 crocodiles living in the wild throughout the NT, with most rivers in the territory averaging about five saltwater crocodiles per kilometre.

Wildman Adventures nature expert and tour guide, Damien Duffy, captured the video saying, “Have a go at this idiot, feet in the water down at Shady Camp.”

Mr Duffy said he was angered by the man’s actions because he was at the river with his “missus and kid” standing right on the water’s edge and walking into the water.

“Shady Camp is part of the Mary River it has the highest density of saltwater crocodiles anywhere on the planet,” he said.

“They can swim at 28kms per hour and when they launch out from the water’s edge they can cover the first six to seven meters in about a second.

“If your feet are in the water and one of them has a go at ya, you’re gonna die, and I said that to this fella.”

Clearly frustrated with what he saw, Mr Duffy tried telling the fisherman to stand back from the water’s edge because saltwater crocodiles could swim quickly.

But the man responded, “yeah righto” and continued fishing in the river.

“You don’t seem to understand what I’m trying to tell you here,” Mr Duffy said

“If one of these animals attempts to have a go at you, you’re going to get killed in front of your missus and kid, and he was like ‘yeah righto, righto.’

“You can’t fix stupid.

“I am concerned because then the crocodile gets hunted and killed because someone’s doing something absolutely stupid, once again in crocodile territory.

“Please just stay back from the water’s edge.”