A photograph of an adult and child fishing dangerously close to the water’s edge at a notorious crocodile habitat has ignited widespread alarm online. The image, taken at Cahills Crossing in Kakadu National Park, shows the pair standing just inches from the river, a site known for its high density of saltwater crocodiles.

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The viral social media post, captioned "And the parent of the year award goes to? This dude,” was met with intense criticism, with many users expressing that the sight made them "sick to their stomach” and questioning "what is wrong with people.” While a minority argued the situation "doesn’t look that bad,” experts were unequivocal in condemning the behavior as extremely reckless.

The area is clearly marked with warning signs, including one that states, "Do not risk your life,” and another that notes, "A fatal crocodile attack occurred here.” Despite these warnings, the location remains a popular fishing spot, increasing the potential for dangerous interactions between humans and predators.

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Matt Cornish, co-founder of Community Representation of Crocodiles, emphasized that "Cahills Crossing is considered to be a high-risk crocodile location where people need to be extremely vigilant,” referencing the fatal attacks that have occurred there over the past decades.

Experts detailed the severe risks involved. Mick Bender, a licensed reptile handler, advised that visitors must stay at least five meters back from the water’s edge. He explained this distance is based on the strike range of a large crocodile, which can launch half its body length in a fraction of a second. Professional crocodile wrangler Tommy Hayes expressed relief that the public outrage showed people were not complacent, hoping it would raise crucial awareness about the very real and immediate danger posed by these reptiles.