Overall Aims of Research Acoustic Tracking of • Obtain an understanding of their behaviours Craig E. Franklin and movement patterns above and below the School of Integrative Biology water surface

• To examine their ecological role in wetland, river and marine ecosystems

• Promote conservation and protection of wild crocodile populations through effective management and education

Research Partnership HOW DO CROCS UTILISE SPACE THROUGH TIME?

Tracking the movements of crocodiles - large spatial & temporal scales - behaviours and movements (3-dimensions) - interactions (biological, environmental, human)

Craig Franklin, Mark Read and . Tracking crocodiles in 3-dimensions: A remote monitoring study of movement patterns and diving behaviour (2006-2008)

1 Study site

Acoustic Tracking study Lakefield August 2007-2008

Aims Weipa

To investigate movement and body patterns of estuarine crocodiles Lakefield National Park site fidelity home ranges Cooktown diving

Focus on a single river system

Male & female crocodiles across wide size range

Google Earth

N Acoustic Tracking study Lakefield August 2007-2008

20 monitoring stations 18 along Nth Kennedy River Nth Kennedy R. 2 in isolated waterholes 27 crocodiles implanted with V16 coded transmitters (Lifespan 1 year)

V16P-6H (17 m) sensitive (delay 12-16 s) 14 implanted

V16T-3L sensitive JamJam TinTin R.R. (delay 60-180s) 13 implanted 42 km River monitored

2 Implanted crocodiles Results

Male th Female Trial download Aug 28 2007 6000 98,000 detections after 2 weeks deployment 20 of 27 animals detected 5000

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0 Total Body Body Total Length (mm) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 101112131415161718192021222324252627

Acknowledgements Acknowledgements Funding & Support People

Australia Zoo QPWS • Australian Research Council Dr Mark Read • Zoo + rangers • Worldwide Nicole Byrne • Discovery Channel Shelley & Barry Lyon “The Croc Team” UQ • Andrew Scifleet Dr Peter Kraft Dr Hamish Campbell

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