Godzilla El-Nino may kill Australian Crocodiles

Salt water crocodiles who are stuck far away from water and are patiently waiting for the wet season may end up dying a slow death. The “Godzilla” El-Nino has delayed the wet season across the Top End of the Northern territory. Thus, a delayed start to the wet season in Australia may result in the death of many endangered salt water crocodiles desperately waiting for rain.

The wet season in Australia, which results in substantial Monsoonal rains in Northern Australia, begins in November and lasts through April. The “Godzilla” El-Nino has led to a prediction of a delay in the rainy season for 2015. This year, there has been a prolonged dry spell which is bad news for the water crocodiles that are too far from the river systems.

Usually, crocodiles bury themselves in the mud. However, at times due to dehydration as well as sunburn these crocs overheat and sometimes even die. Water is an essential element for their survival, and with rains yet to set in, many of these reptiles are in great danger.

While it is hard to predict the number of deaths due to this weather change, many crocodiles will die if rains do not come any time sooner. Previously, 29 crocodile carcasses were found in a mud hole after monsoonal rains were delayed by a good two weeks.

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