Wildlife officers have killed a 4.2-metre crocodile that attacked a man and ate his dog in Far North Queensland.
The 37-year-old is recovering in a stable condition at Cairns Hospital after the attack at a Bloomfield boat ramp, about 50 kilometres south of Cooktown, on Wednesday evening.
The ABC reports that video footage surfaced on social media appearing to show the man wade into the Bloomfield River at the Ayton boat ramp with his dog.
The crocodile attacked once he was in knee-deep water.
The injured man has declined to speak to Queensland’s Department of Environment and Science (DES) about the incident.
The Bloomfield River is well known Croc Country. PIC: Department of Environment and Science
Overnight, wildlife officers from Cairns conducted a spotlighting survey of the river and located the crocodile about 200 metres from where the attack occurred.
The crocodile was then humanely euthanised.
Department of Environment and Science (DES) incident controller, Michael Joyce, said officers conducted found the remains of the dog during a necropsy on the crocodile, which was shot this morning.
“Molly was inside that crocodile,” he said.
Mr Joyce said the Department’s key priority was public safety, and the euthanasia of such a large, old crocodile in its natural habitat was unfortunately unavoidable.
“It’s important for communities in Croc Country to feel safe and for problem crocodiles to be dealt with appropriately,” Mr Joyce said. “Remember, warning signs are not there as decoration and swimming in Croc Country is a choice.”
The Bloomfield River is well known Croc Country and people should always be Crocwise in that area. In particular:
Are you a Grey Nomad member yet? Click here to find out about the discounts, competitions and other benefits on offer.
Stupidly and the poor dog paid the price,
The crocodile is not at fault. Sad about the dog but people have to stay out of their territory.
What a dumb dumb decision to wade into water where croc’s are present. Haven’t got any simpathy at all for this person but feel so so sorry for the poor dog who followed his master to his unfortunate death.
Lost – 1 faithful loyal dog & 1 amazing creature doing what comes naturally in his own domain.
Don’t approve of the croc being killed for doing what it must to survive in its world. Why do humans see it as their right to move in on others territory then also kill if desired
Having lived in the area for over 12 months, on many occasions I observed the big crocodile sunning himself on the backwater sands at the mouth of the Bloomfield River. Sad that it had to be killed because of the stupid behaviour of someone who should have known better, having lived in Crocodile areas for years.
its strange that he set up his phone in video mod to film the event, as it seemed to me the croc merely pushed him away to be able to take the dog. Then he laid on the edge of the boat ramp bleeding from his leg injury, my thought is if the croc was still hungry he would have been next. poor dog paid the price then the croc, he should be fined for his stupidity.
Why did the croc have to euthanised because of the stupidity of the man. Sorry for the dog but really …… ? That man should be heavily fined and the croc should be still alive. Angry at the outcome!