Let's breakthrough research that will not out be very welcome in far North Queensland, otherwise known as croc country, with scientists developing a way to determine if a crocodile is lurking nearby. Peter Hill and Elisee Ferlan are currently making a tool that can detect the presence of croc DNA in our waterways, which they hope will be used one day to keep people safe and prevent future tragedies. One of the brains behind it, Peter Hill, joins us this morning, Peter, good morning to you. Fascinating this in a nutshell? How does this work?

Let's breakthrough research that will not out be very welcome in far North Queensland, otherwise known as croc country, with scientists developing a way to determine if a crocodile is lurking nearby. Peter Hill and Elisee Ferlan are currently making a tool that can detect the presence of croc DNA in our waterways, which they hope will be used one day to keep people safe and prevent future tragedies. One of the brains behind it, Peter Hill, joins us this morning, Peter, good morning to you. Fascinating this in a nutshell? How does this work?

Good morning? Yes, So this test works by us taking a water sample from one of the water bodies where we might suspect to crocodile is living. We take that sample back to the laboratory, extract the DNA from that sample, and then we have a test that will actually pick up whether or not saltwater crocodile DNA is part of the DNA that's in that water sample.

Good morning? Yes, So this test works by us taking a water sample from one of the water bodies where we might suspect to crocodile is living. We take that sample back to the laboratory, extract the DNA from that sample, and then we have a test that will actually pick up whether or not saltwater crocodile DNA is part of the DNA that's in that water sample.

Important, I'm guessing because the croc populations are so healthy and huge at the moment, you're just wanting to be able to warn people in certain waterways that Hey, look, there could be a kroclid working.

Important, I'm guessing because the croc populations are so healthy and huge at the moment, you're just wanting to be able to warn people in certain waterways that Hey, look, there could be a kroclid working.

That's correct. There are already, I guess in place several management monitoring programs run by the Queensland Department and Environment, Science and Innovation. One of the biggest pieces of advice is to be croc wise in croc country. So there is already a lot of signage in place around water bodies where crocodiles are known to live. So this will add an extra layer to another tool they can use to help with the monitoring and management of these animals.

That's correct. There are already, I guess in place several management monitoring programs run by the Queensland Department and Environment, Science and Innovation. One of the biggest pieces of advice is to be croc wise in croc country. So there is already a lot of signage in place around water bodies where crocodiles are known to live. So this will add an extra layer to another tool they can use to help with the monitoring and management of these animals.

Early stages of development, Peter, but I mean, how quickly can you detect if there is croc DNA in the water? I guess that's vital for putting up those warnings.

Early stages of development, Peter, but I mean, how quickly can you detect if there is croc DNA in the water? I guess that's vital for putting up those warnings.

Yeah, so at the moment it is early stages and what's required for us at this stage is to take the water sample back to our laboratory at the University of Canberra where we can extract the DNA and run these tests. So at the moment, the turnaround is not instant. It can take us a few days to get to get an answer.

Yeah, so at the moment it is early stages and what's required for us at this stage is to take the water sample back to our laboratory at the University of Canberra where we can extract the DNA and run these tests. So at the moment, the turnaround is not instant. It can take us a few days to get to get an answer.

Nonetheless, so we saw only recently, very sadly, that twelve year old girl taken in the Northern territory. This kind of research might be able to prevent that. Do you hope.

Nonetheless, so we saw only recently, very sadly, that twelve year old girl taken in the Northern territory. This kind of research might be able to prevent that. Do you hope.

That was a tragedy and our hearts to go out to the families and friends of that young person. It's always a tragedy when a young person is taken. And yeah, this tool will add to the existing monitoring and management tools that the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation are already using and will help to add another layer to what they are already doing.

That was a tragedy and our hearts to go out to the families and friends of that young person. It's always a tragedy when a young person is taken. And yeah, this tool will add to the existing monitoring and management tools that the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation are already using and will help to add another layer to what they are already doing.

Well. It's needed and fascinating research. Pleader, thanks for joining us this morning.

Well. It's needed and fascinating research. Pleader, thanks for joining us this morning.

Awesome, Thank you.

Awesome, Thank you.