Ranger's close encounter with road-crossing crocodile

Warnings have been issued after a big saltwater crocodile was spotted on a road in a Northern Territory national park.

Kakadu National Park ranger Jenny Hunter was driving through the park yesterday when she got up close to the predator on the Mudjinbardi Outstation Causeway.

She took a video of the croc slowly crossing the causeway between two bodies of water, with what appeared to be an unlucky prey animal in its mouth.

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The sighting of the animal, which appeared to be several metres long, has prompted a wave of warnings for the area.

A crocodile trap has been placed in the swamp.

"Crocodile warning signs have been placed in and around the adjacent area and local residents have been made aware of the sighting and are advised to avoid the area," the park said on Facebook.

"The swamp drains into the Magela Creek system just upstream of the Oenpelli Road and crocodile awareness signs have also been placed in that area as well, given that it is a popular fishing area for locals.

"The trap will be monitored by Kakadu rangers during the coming days and evenings and rangers are working with NT Police and Djurrubu Rangers."

People in the NT have been urged to be "crocwise" this wet season, with saltwater crocodiles on the move.

"There have been a number of sightings of estuarine (saltwater) crocodiles in roadside culverts and along flooded causeways right across the park and visitors to Kakadu are urged to be careful when fishing, walking or driving near water," the park said on Facebook.

"Crocodiles are known to move large distances in search of new territories during the wet season. Smaller crocodiles are often forced out of their territories by dominant males. Hungry and on edge, they may be seeking temporary respite from larger crocs or looking for a feed of fish that congregate in culverts.

"These animals are likely to be very aggressive, and an attack can lead to death.

"The message is clear: Don't risk your life, keep away from the water's edge and don't become complacent. Refrain from stopping at causeways and from fishing roadside culverts along Kakadu and Arnhem Highways and observe all signage in place."