The Australian government said "trophy² hunts" would not be appropriate.

 

"There have been a series of ministers that have periodically rejected this," Environment Minister Greg Hunt said. "My view is that there was a risk of cruel and inhumane treatment."

 

The proposal, which was backed by the territory government, would have allowed up to 50 crocodiles to be shot. 

 

Currently, 500 crocodiles are culled³（拣选，剔除） in the region every year. 

 

Backers of the plan argued that hunting crocodiles would provide a source of income for indigenous⁴（本土的） communities.

 

Minister for Parks and Wildlife Bess Price criticised the decision. 

 

"Greg Hunt has made a decision which will do nothing to improve the lives of indigenous Territorians living in remote communities," she told the Australian Associated Press news agency.

 

Activist⁵ groups disputed this, saying that killing⁶ the animals would send a wrong message. 

 

Saltwater crocodiles can grow up 7m (23ft) long and weigh more than a tonne. 

 

Crocodile numbers have increased since being declared a protected species in 1971. They are a common feature of Australia's tropical north.

 

Australian police shot two crocodiles dead in January while on a search for a missing 12-year-old boy attacked by a crocodile in the Northern Territory.

 

Another man was killed by a crocodile in August, when he swam in a river in the north during a birthday party.

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