A MAN has been killed by a crocodile in the Northern Territory.

Sky News reports Northern Territory Police said the man was killed at Cahills Crossing, near Kakadu National Park.

It is believed the victim is 47 years old and was killed by a 3.5m croc.

Police said the man was wading across Cahills Crossing, a notorious hotspot for crocodiles which runs across East Alligator River.

The national park has 2000 different plant species and wildlife, including saltwater crocodiles.

There are warning signs advising people not to enter the water.

Fairfax Media reported the man disappeared into the water about 4pm on Thursday.

He was with two women, who alerted authorities, and police searched for the man using several boats. His body was two kilometres downstream. The two women had made it across the river before the man was attacked. A crocodile was found nearby and was “destroyed at the scene”, an NT police spokeswoman said. The Parks and Wildlife Commission NT crocodile management chief ranger Tom Nichols said he couldn’t put a number on the amount of crocodiles lurking in the waters at Cahills Crossing at this time of year. He said the man and the women were locals, believed to be from the Gunbalanya community.

“People just need to be aware this time of year. They know better. They know crocodiles are in that area but people do silly things unfortunately,” he said.

“We get tired of saying it, it is just another timely reminder that people just have to be aware the river systems do contain crocodiles.

Last September, the NT News reported there were more than 20 crocs lurking in the water at Cahills Crossing.

“There were lots of 3-4m crocs, at least one was much bigger and other 2-3m ones cruising around,” Kristi Moseley told the NT News after she saw the crocs.

“Even two really big ones from the lower side climbed over the crossing on the change of tide to join the crew.

“I have been to Cahills lots of times but never seen this.”