As grey nomads begin to plot their route north, they are again being reminded of the potential threat that crocodiles pose.
The warning comes as a huge crocodile that was behaving aggressively around boats and reportedly lunged at the resident of a houseboat in the Cardwell Marina in north Queensland has been captured in a baited trap.
The crocodile was captured in a baited trap this week, not long after a three-metre, non-target animal was caught in the same location.
The targeted animal was reported to the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation in April after scaring the houseboat resident, and it was also reported to have taken a dog.
Wildlife officers remove the croc from Cardwell Marina. PIC: DESI
Wildlife officer Ella Meeve said due to its large size, (greater than four metres) the crocodile must be dealt with as an ‘icon crocodile’ under Queensland’s conservation laws.
“This means the decision on where the crocodile will be placed and housed must be made in consultation with the relevant Traditional Owners,” she said. “It also means that the animal may only be placed with a registered crocodile farm or zoo which agrees to use it for educational purposes about crocodile conservation and their ecology.
Ms Meeve said that although two crocodiles had been removed from the marina, it was important that everybody in the area continued to be Crocwise.
“I am asking everyone who uses the marina to make sensible choices around the water, and that includes the proper disposal of unwanted bait and fish frames,” she said. “We believe the animals entered the marina because they could smell baited crab pots, or were being deliberately or inadvertently fed by people discarding fish frames in the area.”
Under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan, all crocodiles displaying dangerous behaviour are automatically targeted for removal.
Just over a week ago, a saltie described as ‘highly habituated’ and showing no fear of people was removed from the wild near Coorooman Creek in the Rockhampton region. Wildlife officers from the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation set and baited a floating trap to catch the estimated 2.5-metre animal.
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Definitely, turn them all into, wallets, handbags & leather lounge suites.
When we’re up north we swim in swimming pools only.
I’m shaking my head at your attitude. Crocs are top of the food chain take them out and your Barra and other fish will disappear. I lived east of Ingham for 20 years.I’ve had two metre crocs run down the beach in front of me. We all need to be crocwise in their territory.
Spot 86GTS
Dont forget to tell people that a huge Croc tiped a small tinnie over 3 years ago at cardwell, and apparrantly they found the Boat owners remains inside the Croc.This happenned at the bottom end of Hinchinbrook Island. I have fished there in a boat of a mate of mine, but never again.
I believe there should be no crocs whatsoever south of Cooktown. The whole spread of the croc population is dangerous and based on flawed science.
Thank you for the opportunity to have my say. I don’t believe in culling. The crocs belong in our waterways / it’s THEIR territory. It’s up to us to stay out of their territory, to be aware at all times and remember that, just because we can’t see them, it doesn’t mean they can’t see us. Don’t drop ANY foodstuffs into the water, don’t do anything that attracts their attention. Keep your dogs away from the water edges. We need to learn how to live with these ancient creatures. They were here long before us.
I agree.