The ‘Birdsville croc’ has become something of a tourist attraction since making its surprise appearance in the Diamantina River last month.
Grey nomads and other travellers have been flocking to catch a glimpse of the wayward freshie in the Outback town in Queensland’s far south-west. The normal crocodile habitat is 1,000 kilometres north.
“He’s starting to get used to people standing on the banks and he just comes out and lies in the sun for most of the day.” Don Rowlands, a senior Queensland Parks and Wildlife ranger, told the ABC. “When you go down there it’s like there’s a regatta on or something … there’s people lined up on the banks everywhere.”
Apparently, the crocodile is even attracting interest even from people travelling down from the Cape.
“It’s seems odd that they come from crocodile country and they’re still keen to go and have a look at the one we have here in Birdsville,” said Mr Rowlands.
The crocodile reportedly allows people as close as three metres before he “takes off”.’ The ABC report that there are signs around the area warning people about the crocodile, but this has had the effect of creating even more interest.
“It’s a double-edged sword really, the best thing would be to have it removed from here and taken back to more of his natural habitat,” Mr Rowland said. “We can’t seem to get used to a crocodile in our water.”
Have you seen the Birdsville croc? What’s the furthest south you’ve seen a crocodile?
Comment below.
Yes the croc was caught outside our camp 24/8/2013 about 3.30 pm. no harm done some good photo’s though.