Wildlife officers have confirmed that a crocodile has been filmed at a popular swimming hole in north Queensland.
A woman had been swimming on a flotation device and taking underwater photographs at the Rollingstone Creek swimming hole, north of Townsville. However, when she looked at the images back at home, she saw what she thought might be a croc.
Senior Wildlife Officer Tony Frisby said she had done the right thing in immediately submitting a report of the incident, which happened on March 2.
“This person, and anyone else who was swimming in that section of the river at the weekend can consider themselves quite lucky,” he said.
This 2.5-metre croc was removed from a property near Cardwell earlier this year. PIC: DESI
“The belief some people have that they are safe in Croc Country if they swim in the freshwater section of our rivers and creeks is misguided … crocodiles are highly mobile, and they travel upstream in our rivers and creeks to source freshwater and feed on animals that come down to the banks to drink.”
Wildlife officers have conducted a land-based site assessment using a drone and did not find any evidence of the animal being present.
“You never know what is lurking in waterways, and people really need to make sensible choices when they’re near the water in Croc Country,” said Mr Frisby. “Recent crocodile sighting warning signs have been installed at the location, and wildlife officers are planning on conducting a nighttime spotlight assessment … people are responsible for their own safety and should always practice CrocWise behaviour in the Townsville region.”
Mr Frisby said the freshwater section of Rollingstone Creek where the crocodile was sighted is classed as Zone E. This means that crocodiles displaying dangerous behaviour are targeted for removal from the wild.
Anyone who spots a crocodile is urged to report the sighting as soon as possible. This can be done by using the QWildlife app, completing a crocodile sighting report on the DESI website, or by calling 1300 130 372. The department investigates every crocodile sighting report received.
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I walking 3x dogs on the beach south of Forrest beach east of Ingham . Looking down at my iPod changing music and a croc 2 metres ran down the beach in front of me. I grabbed dogs headed to top of beach turned around and there was the croc eyeing us off from the waters edge scared the living daylights out of me . Plus Our lucky day I guess. I walked that beach everyday for many years and came across snakes turtles echidnas etc. saw the slides from crocs down near cassidies creek . Just wish I could have taken photos but I was more concerned about the 3x small dogs
It is High time that a culling of crocs to take place. They are starting to invade places they have not been seen before.
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