Outback Wrangler

Seasons

2011

Australia

8.1

Australian helicopter pilot and crocodile wrangler Matt Wright and his two mates Jono and Willow work together to relocate dozens of crocs in the Australian Outback while sharing important wildlife and conservation messages.

Episode List

S1 • E1

Croc swarm

Expert helicopter pilot Matt Wright leads a team of Aussies including Mick, Craig, Dave, 'Wolverine' and the 'professor'. As the wet season arrives in the marshes of the Northern Territory, they collect for conservation purposes masses of eggs from many of the nests in relatively shallow water of crocodile species why migrate between there and the Indian Ocean. It's extremely hard and dangerous work, but Matt shows everyone the ropes, literally and figuratively, like using a crate as diversion. In between, they also catch some of the imported water-buffaloes which escaped and breed in the wild, a hazard to the ecosystem because of their tracts which allow saline to flow in. Nests floating on grass-mats are the last and most dangerous job.

S1 • E2

Wild Horse Bust

In northern Queensland, Matt leads another team of buckaroos (Aussie cowboys), including experienced Clancy and greenhorn mustering pilot Jeff, who needs ample coaching to learn the art of mustering cattle and 'brumbies', Australian wild horses, who are caught were they aren't wanted to be turned into working horses. The animals are smarter, hence trickier, then cattle. The team works on horseback, in motor-vehicles and by helicopter. In between, Matt deals efficiently and peacefully with deadly poisonous snakes.

S1 • E3

Borneo

In Sabah, a state of Malaysian Borneo, Matt teams up with local JP's wildlife rangers, initially coming along to learn how they handle jobs like moving crocodiles with relatively primitive means. Next he teaches them how to do it better using a helicopter and scientific insight. They also handle the deadly species of snakes king cobra and reticular python plus a water-monitor, who keeps stealing the crocodile trap bait, like otters.

S1 • E4

Flying Crocs

Michael Wright's team, including novices in training like pilot Mike, prepares to evacuate salt water crocodiles to the ocean now the water rises rapidly inland. First they must assemble cages and fences, then install them, check the traps, evacuate crocodiles and move. It's a huge task, full of risk as animals must often by caught and handled repeatedly, even frightfully strong giants.