Just as the great grey nomad northward migration is about to get into full swing comes a couple of timely reminders about the menacing presence of crocodiles in areas where people like to visit.
Yesterday, a man had a miraculous escape after a crocodile grabbed his foot while he was sleeping inside his tent in the Northern Territory. Today, a photograph taken of a crocodile in a drain at a suburban Port Douglas park has sparked a strong reaction on social media.
Hayley Day uploaded three images of the croc about midday on Saturday saying, “Just picked kids up from Warri Park carpark Port Gardens – croc in drain so keep an eye on kids and pets”.
Douglas Shire mayor Julia Leu told the Cairns Post that she was unaware of this particular croc, but said a small saltie had been spotted sunning itself on a marina pontoon in the Dickson Inlet, while another was seen at the Port Douglas Links Golf Club.
“We’re a known croc habitat and we encourage everyone to be croc-wise,” she told the newspaper. “If any crocodile poses a risk to anyone in Port Douglas, it will be removed.”
In 2014 it was reported to the Department of Environment that a croc was spotted at Warri Park. It is listed as being under ‘routine monitoring’.
* How nervous of crocs are you when you are in the north? Comment below
Not at all. We are entering their backyard and being aware of this encourages vigilance. Unless the numbers are gradually increasing, leave the alone.
must be time for a cull; they seem to be getting a little too friendly