Travellers currently in the north, or those heading up there in the next few months, are again being urged to be extremely vigilant to crocodile activity.
Ther warning comes after wildlife officers from Queensland’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) removed a 2.5-metre crocodile from a private property near Cardwell in north Queensland.
Wildlife officers set a trap for the animal after the residents reported that it moved into a lagoon on their property, not far from their backyard.
It is understood the animal moved into the lagoon during localised flooding caused by Cyclone Jasper had made the water level rise.
This 2.5-metre croc was removed from a property near Cardwell. PIC: DESI
Wildlife Officer Ella Meeve said that, although Cardwell is known Croc Country, it was still concerning to the family – who had young children and pets – to find the animal at a fence only 20 metres from their house.
“Although Cyclone Kirrily delayed our plans to remove the crocodile, we were able to install a trap once the wild weather passed and water levels stabilised,” she said. “Fortunately, it only took a few days for the crocodile to enter the trap, and we’ve been able to safely capture and remove it from the property.”
Unbelievably, people had been feeding this one-metre croc ata park near Ingham. PIC: DESI
The crocodile has been transported to the department’s holding facility in Townsville, where it will stay until wildlife officers can secure a new home for the animal at a licensed farm or zoo.
“This is a good reminder that crocodiles can turn up in unexpected places across Croc Country, especially during the wet season,” said Ms Meeeve. “So, it’s important to always report croc sightings to DESI as soon as you can.”
A few days earlier, a small, one-metre crocodile was also removed from Palm Creek at Garbutt Park in Ingham, after its presence was reported by a member of the public.
“Unfortunately, we also observed discarded food in the park, and the crocodile’s behaviour indicated that it had been fed,” said Ms Meeve. “As a result of being fed, the crocodile had become habituated and was deemed to be a risk to public safety … feeding crocodiles is extremely foolish as it places the public in danger.”
The crocodile was transported directly to a licensed farm.
People in the Croc Country are urged to report all crocodile sightings in a timely manner, and wildlife officers investigate every sighting report.
Crocwise tips for people in North and Far North Queensland:
# Have you ever been made to feel uncomfortable by the presence of a crocodile when in the north? Have you seen people doing ‘silly’ things in Croc Country? Comment below.
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Weve seen people doing silly things, like a grey nomad couple adjacent to a crocodile warning sign.
He was fishing on the edge of the water & she was sitting in a camp chair knitting with her feet almost in the water. LOL.
The above information is also critical for all travellers in the NT and the Kimberley.
Crocs move around with flood waters and when these retreat they will look for the closest body of water (incl. backyard swimming pools) to avoid dehydration. So, even inland ‘Croc free’ water bodies can have a ‘Visiting croc’ in them after floods.
Crocs are also stealth predators lurking under the water surface for up to 1hr waiting to pounce on any prey within reach. When fishing or sitting at the water edge, make sure you are behind and object (i.e.tree, bush, tree stump, rock) which will obstruct their line of pouncing.
We camped at the Pentecost River in WA last May for a couple of weeks. During that time a 4WD with 3 European females squeezed in adjacent to our van then set up camp.
Late afternoon I noticed that all 3 were lying on their towels on the riverbank with their feet in the water so I asked them if they were aware that saltwater crocs inhabit this river…Their response was akin to jabbing them with a cattle prod, they moved so quickly!