SYDNEY, Oct 12 — The body of an indigenous women was recovered by Australian police today following a reported crocodile attack in a remote part of the country’s north.

Police said a women believed to be an Aboriginal ranger had been fishing “waist-deep” in a river with her family in remote Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory when she was taken.

A family member noticed her missing, they said, after hearing some splashing.

Police later confirmed that a body had been recovered.

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“The woman’s body and the crocodile were found just before 5pm (0730 GMT) less than one kilometre (0.6 miles) from the scene,” Northern Territory Police said in a statement.

“The crocodile was destroyed by local indigenous rangers and the woman’s body was recovered.”

Police said it was not yet clear what type of crocodile had taken the woman.

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Australia is home to freshwater and saltwater crocodiles with the more feared “salties” growing up to seven metres long.

Saltwater crocodile numbers have exploded since they were declared a protected species in 1971, with recent attacks reigniting debate about controlling them.

They kill an average of two people each year in Australia. — AFP