麻豆约拍

Ngala hunters Charles and Sakias guided our canoes into the bank, where we sought out shade, and waited for huge saltwater crocodiles to surface. It was stinking hot, and our ears drowned in the oppressive din of millions of crickets in the swamp grass. The men knew that the crocs loved to patrol here, holding a watchful position in swirling brown eddies. At night, the crocodiles drift closer to the banks, looking to gobble up wild pigs having a drink. Occasionally, they attack boats.

The fact that the Ngala don鈥檛 hunt the biggest crocodiles was perhaps not too surprising - weighing up to a ton, they are extremely powerful and dangerous. But large crocodiles keep waterways healthy, excavating their wallows in stream and lake beds. They also produce comparatively more young. Seeing Charles and Sakias react when the crocodiles finally appeared was inspiring; even though they鈥檝e known these giant reptiles since they were boys, they鈥檙e still in awe of them.

Patrick Evans - Producer