Crocodile that killed 12yo girl at Mango Creek in Northern Territory located and killed, police say

The crocodile responsible for the death of a 12-year-old girl has been located and killed. The 4.2-metre reptile resurfaced was shot by local rangers on Sunday, days after remains of the child were found near the remote community of Palumpa in the Northern Territory. She was last seen swimming with family members at Mango Creek near the remote Aboriginal community of Nganmarriyanga – also known as Palumpa – 350km southwest of Darwin, on July 2 and was reported missing on the same day, sparking a huge search effort. Her remains were found on July 4. Before her remains were found, police said the girl’s shirt had been discovered upstream of where she disappeared. The waterways in the region are home to both saltwater and freshwater crocodiles. The saltwater crocodile is highly dangerous to humans and can grow up to 6m in length. Freshwater crocodiles have been known to attack people in self-defence. Police said the killing of the crocodile was carried out with the permission of the traditional owners, and that the girl’s family and wider community had been notified. “The events of last week have had a huge impact on the family and local police are continuing to provide support to everyone impacted,” Senior Sergeant Erica Gibson said. A report will be prepared for the coroner.