Skull of killer crocodile permanently loaned to NT Coroner’s office

THE skull of a man-eating croc will remain a permanent trophy on the desk of the NT Coroner despite pleas from conservationists.

Five-metre croc and tourist attraction Michael Jackson, given the name for his light-coloured head, was killed after taking Lanh Van Tran in the Adelaide River in 2014.

The croc’s skull was curated for the coroner’s inquest.

But Naomi Hummerich of the Northern Territory Crocodile Conservation and Protection Society requested that the skull be returned to the conservationists to be used as an educational tool once the inquest finished.

However, the Parks and Wildlife Commission decided to permanently loan the preserved skull to the NT Coroner’s office.

Celebrities have since posed with the giant skull, posting images on social media.

Ms Hummerich said she worked closely with Michael Jackson while working on the Adelaide River croc tours and was angered by the treatment of his remains.

“Naturally I wasn’t happy with the decision as this was basically being used as a trophy piece in the coroner’s office. Michael deserved more than to end up as a skull sitting on a desk,” she said.

She said her campaign had received support from tourists and would continue to pressure Parks and Wildlife to release the skull. “To Parks and Wildlife, I’m not going away, I’m not giving up, and I’m not making the mistake of walking away again. I will fight and pursue this to my dying breath,” she said.

“His last remains will not be a sideshow prop for photos or a trophy on a table. I will continue to push for his skull to be with those who loved him and to teach others the importance of having crocs here and safety.”

A letter from Parks and Wildlife Minister Bess Price to Ms Hummerich confirmed the skull would remain on permanent loan.

A Parks and Wildlife spokeswoman said the Coroner was granted approval to display the skull. “The Coroner asked to use these skulls ... to educate visitors on the dangers of crocodiles and intends to develop a display for visitors to view,” she said.

“The crocodile skulls will remain the property of the Commission and will be returned to the Commission when they are no longer of use to the Coroner.

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