A large crocodile that took a steer during mustering operations and showed no fear of people has been removed from the wild.
The 3.9-metre reprile was captured in a baited trap set on the bank of Boar Creek near Tully in North Queensland. It will now be provided to a crocodile farm or zoo.
A crazier took a video of the crocodile taking the steer at the end of last month and reported the incident to the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI), which started an investigation.
Wildlife officers then observed the crocodile sunning itself on a bank of Boar Creek and found evidence that it had been eating cattle carcasses near the creek.
The croc was removed from a creek near Tully. PIC: DETSI
Crocodiles that can access food such as cattle carcasses or fish frames at boat ramps are more likely to be removed from the wild than those left to source their own food.
The Tully area is Croc Country and, despite the removal of this crocodile, people are warned they still need to be Crocwise in the Boar Creek area as other crocodiles could move in at any time.
Summer is crocodile breeding season, and male crocodiles can become aggressive and territorial.
Crocodiles that pose a threat to human safety are targeted for removal under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan.
Residents and visitors in Queensland’s Croc Country are encouraged to report all crocodile sightings and every crocodile sighting report received is investigated.
People in Croc Country are urged to be CrocWise, which includes:
# How wary are you of crocs while travelling in the north? Comment below.