12-Year-Old Girl's Remains Found After Apparent Crocodile Attack in Australia

In a tragic incident, the remains of a 12-year-old girl have been discovered in Australia following an apparent crocodile attack. The harrowing discovery was made in a river system close to the Northern Territory's Indigenous community of Palumpa, two days after she had gone missing.

Confirmation of Crocodile Attack

According to reports from the Northern Territory Police, the injuries on the girl's body have confirmed that she was indeed the victim of a crocodile attack. The findings came after an extensive search effort, with Senior Sergeant Erica Gibson describing the recovery as "particularly gruesome and a sad, devastating outcome."

Expressing the difficulty of the situation, Gibson stated, "It was an extremely difficult, essentially 36 hours... For the family, it is the most devastating outcome possible for them. They are in a state of extreme shock and disbelief."

Search for the Crocodile

In light of the incident, officials are actively searching for the crocodile responsible for the attack, aiming to trap the animal. Given that crocodiles often remain in and around the same area, the search continues with the safety of the community in mind.

"We live in a place where crocodiles occupy our water places," remarked Northern Territory Police Minister Brent Potter, emphasizing the need for caution. "It's just a reminder to stay out of the water as best we can," he added.

Crocodile Population in the Region

Australia's Northern Territory is known to be home to the world's largest population of wild crocodiles, with over 100,000 freshwater and saltwater predators. Notably, the saltwater crocodile, which can grow up to 20 feet long, is considered the more common and dangerous species in the region.

"These 'salties' reside along the coastline and waterways of the Territory. They have a taste for fish, but will eat just about anything including cows and buffaloes, wild boar, turtles, birds and crabs," describes the Northern Territory's tourism website.