Golfers in Australia may easily encounter saltwater crocodiles or red-bellied black snakes wandering across the greens.
The golfing experience in Australia can be quite unique. In this land of wildlife, expansive golf courses provide an ideal habitat for a variety of animals on land, in water, and in the air, with crocodiles being the most prominent, according to CNN.
Crocodile at the water’s edge at Half Moon Bay Golf Club. (Photo: CNN).
The warmer northern states of Australia, such as the Northern Territory and Queensland, serve as ideal habitats for saltwater crocodiles, which can grow up to 20 feet long. According to estimates from local authorities, there are over 100,000 saltwater crocodiles in the Northern Territory. The cooler temperatures of Queensland make it less appealing for crocodiles compared to the Northern Territory, but their presence in the waterways of this state still poses a daily danger. In May alone, authorities in Queensland discovered a human body inside a crocodile.
Crocodiles have become an underwater threat at many golf courses in Queensland, including Half Moon Bay Golf Club near Cairns, located in the northeastern tropical coastal region of the state. “Everyone asks about the crocodiles, some out of fear, some out of excitement,” Tim Mackrill, the manager at Half Moon Bay Golf Club, shared. “Crocodiles seem to have become a draw for visitors, and people want to see them.”
Queensland state authorities recommend keeping a safe distance from the water’s edge while fishing and never feeding crocodiles, which has become second nature for locals. They can report sightings of crocodiles to forest management officials through an app or by phone. If deemed problematic based on location, size, and behavior, the crocodile may be relocated to a zoo or farm. The last time a large crocodile was removed from Bay Bay was in 2019. Despite their notoriety on the golf course, encountering crocodiles on a daily basis remains a novelty.
“The challenge lies in managing risk. We have some staff on patrol. If players are too focused on finding their golf balls, they may get too close to a hidden animal,” Mackrill said.
Red-bellied black snake curled up in a golf hole. (Photo: CNN)
Amanda Jayne is a member of The Coast Golf Club, located on the coastal cliffs of Sydney. One Saturday in January, while waiting for her friend to hit the ball, Jayne spotted a 1.2-meter-long black object slithering across the green. The uninvited guest was a red-bellied black snake, a highly venomous yet timid species native to Eastern Australia.
Frightened of snakes, Jayne’s friend jumped back. However, Jayne remained calm enough to place a flag before the snake crawled into the hole and curled up inside. Seemingly unaggressive, the snake poked its head out of the hole while people took pictures. As it refused to leave, Jayne had to alert the club management. After a while, the snake disappeared into the bushes. Since then, players have spotted several more snakes here.
