Snap call to scale up plans for pet crocodiles as Northern Territory government introduce new guidelines

Keeping a snappy predator as a backyard pet is being made easy with new guidelines on crocodile ownership restoring a right seen as part of a “unique Territory lifestyle”.

As Victoria moves to ban pet crocs, the Northern Territory government has scaled up plans to allow ownership of the reptiles, with 63 people already licensed to keep 123 of them.

“It’s proof our unique Territory lifestyle is alive and thriving,” said NT Parks and Wildlife Minister Marie-Clare Boothby.

The NT government is inviting Territorians to have their say on new safety and welfare guidelines to make owning a pet croc simpler and safer.

The proposed regulations in the Dangerous Animal Guideline - Crocodiles as Pets focused on animal welfare, biosecurity and public safety, Ms Boothby said in a statement on Friday.

“We’re backing responsible pet ownership by cutting red tape and making it easier than ever for Territorians to safely keep a pet croc.”

Ms Boothby said after the previous Labor government scrapped pet crocodile permits in 2024, the Country Liberal Party government made a commitment to restore that right.

The proposed regulations would strengthen guidelines already in place to own a pet crocodile.

The crocs will receive a unique identification marking, owners will be charged a $299 fee for a five-year permit and there will be a $100 per hour recovery fee if departmental staff need to capture an escaped reptile.

Updated enclosure standards include a lockable door and an isolating section to reduce human-crocodile interaction during cleaning or vet checks.

Saltwater crocodile owner Andrew Fahey said crocs were no ordinary pets and owning one was a privilege.

“If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a family pet with scales and a jaw full of teeth yourself, the Northern Territory is the place to be,” he said.