Amazon helps deliver crocodile-spotting drones in Australia

A drone incorporating croc spotting technology hovering over a two-metre (6.6ft) crocodile lying on the banks of the Mowbray River, north of Cairns. Australia's rugged crocodile country could become safer thanks to world-first drones which were given a test flight on Sept 26. — Westpac Little Ripper/AFP

SYDNEY: An Australian maker of drones used to spot sharks near surf beaches has partnered with online retailer Amazon.com Inc and other firms to create a drone service that could protect tourists from crocodiles in holiday destinations.

The project was initiated by the government of the northeastern state of Queensland after the privately-owned Ripper Group successfully used drones to identify sharks in neighbouring New South Wales.