Grey nomads and other travellers are being warned to remain vigilant following several crocodile sightings on multiple beaches along Queensland’s Capricornia Coast.
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) said the croc reports were a reminder of the potential dangers posed.
“Wildlife officers have investigated each report, and people should be aware that as the weather warms up, there will likely be an increase in crocodile activity as male crocodiles will be on the move to find a mate or find new territory,” Senior Wildlife Officer Joshua Morris said.
He said that earlier this month, there was a report about a large crocodile basking on the bank of Water Park Creek near Byfield National Park.
A large crocodile basking on the bank of Water Park Creek near Byfield National Park. PIC: Queensland DES
“During our vessel-based investigation, wildlife officers observed a large crocodile basking on the bank,” Mr Morris said. “Upon seeing us, the crocodile did not display any dangerous behaviour … it slid into the water and did not reappear.”
Then, another six sightings were reported about a crocodile moving along the Capricorn Coast between Zilzie and Kinka Beach.
“We believe the reports relate to the same animal, and a member of the public was able to measure one of the imprints it left on the sand at the northern end of Tanby Beach on Sunday morning at approximately 2.4m long,” said Mr Morris. “The crocodile would’ve been taking a rest before returning to the water and we believe it is moving between river or creek systems.”
Mr Morris said wildlife officers inspected several beaches over the weekend and on Monday where the crocodile was reported but did not confirm the presence of the animal.
“We have not had another report about this crocodile since Sunday morning, and we’re asking people along the Capricorn Coast to make Crocwise choices near the water,” he said. “Crocodiles are highly mobile and can move long distances but the animal could still be transitioning along the Capricorn Coast.”
All crocodiles displaying dangerous behaviour are targeted for removal under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan.
People are responsible for their own safety in Croc country and are reminded to make Crocwise choices at all times. In particular:
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During the late 1980s a documentary film crew spent some time in the Northern Territory studying Crocodiles and behaviour, including using aluminium mesh cages underwater.
Soon at night their aluminium (tinny) boats were being attacked by Crocs so they lifted them with ropes above the water level, but the boats were still attacked.
One evening some of the crew went for their usual walk inland and their torches revealed glowing eyes, Crocs had walked inland and prepared to attack their intended prey.
During the 1990s I remember reading about a young child being grabbed from a tent erected away from a river bank and while being dragged towards the river the mother managed to save her child, the men were away from camp fishing.
Another story from Fishing and Boating Magazine covered a young couple fishing from their boat and a Croc lifted its head from the water and grabbed the male person around his shoulder, his wife hit it with an oar and it released him.
Last but another of many stories was a young woman who insisted on travelling in a kayak along a river, camping overnight. She did report to Rangers before departing and they cautioned her against doing it. In light rain a Croc she reported later swam towards the kayak and flicked her out into the water with its tail, and then grabbed her. It rolled but the water was not deep and she managed to make it to shore, but was bitten several times. She dragged herself up the riverbank and made it to a track, after a couple of hours a Ranger 4WD arrived and accidentally rescued her, the Ranger was not searching.
Take care.
While running part of a government funded employment programme in Kununurra in 2016/17, I asked a local Gidgerong elder in my group if I’d be safe in my 10 foot flat bottomed tinny fishing on the Ord River.
His reply was short and sweet.
“Them buggers jump!!”
Enough said, I never did put my tinnie in the Ord, always stayed well above or well back from riverbanks when fishing, and yes, I saw LOTS of crocs.
They were here first, and are absolutely due the respect owed to Australia’s top apex predator.
They are carnivores, and us humans are just another potential prey animal, so it behoves us to learn how to ACT like prey animals and keep ourselves out of harm’s way. That way we don’t get eaten and “problem” crocs don’t get shot or relocated.