Dylan Isles, who works as a ranger at Cutta Cutta Caves, near Katherine, was part of a successful mission to capture a 3.4 metre male saltwater crocodile.

The giant crocodile was caught in the Flora Nature Park and was seen as a public safety concern.

It has been relocated to a crocodile farm.

Mr Isles said the capture was an exciting experience.

“It is certainly something that gets the adrenalin going,” he said.

“I was on top of the trap and I could hear what is a deep, rumbling sound the crocodile makes.

“It is a controlled environment if it is done properly, step by step.

“But you are still on the lookout the crocodile hasn’t got any mates who might be hanging around.”

Mr Isles, 33, left Koroit 13 years ago and has spent that time working as a tour guide in Darwin and Alice Springs before heading to Western Australia where he began his career as a ranger.

He has been at Cutta Cutta Caves since late last year and is enthralled with his work.

“We only have a small team covering a big area so it is a very diverse job,” he said.

“A day’s work can include anything from catching a crocodile to the every day task of running the parks.”

Among those on hand to witness the capture of the crocodile was Mr Isles’ mother Leanne and her partner Bruce Titheridge, who were in the Northern Territory on holidays.

The crocodile was one of a record number of saltwater crocodiles that have been trapped in the river system in the area this year. 

NT Parks and Wildlife senior ranger John Burke issued a chilling warning to people in the area.

“People need to be croc wise and stay out of the river,” Mr Burke said. 

“Even though the weather has been cold, the crocs are still moving about.

“It is a belief that when it is cold crocs go off the bite.

“But this year we have been catching them fairly consistently.”