GET THE CROC OUT OF HERE
Call to remove large saltie lurking near popular Cairns boat ramp
A LARGE saltwater crocodile lurking just 40m from the popular Barron River boat ramp at Machans Beach had prompted calls for rangers to be more proactive in removing dangerous predators.
While the croc, named Rosie by two children, has delighted crowds of onlookers who flocked to the site as word spread during the weekend, the reptile has also worried recreational fishermen who use the ramp.
“When I first moved here in ’99, there was a systematic trapping program going on and you just didn’t see them on the banks,” said fisherman Dan Vowles.
“Occasionally they’d pull crocs out but you never saw them in traps over 2.5m.
“Now we’ve got another big one in residence less than 100m from the boat ramp.
“A lot of us launch boats every day here and you’ve got to stand in the water ... it’s pretty unnerving when there’s a croc that size.”
“Rosie” was first spotted and named last Thursday by local children Denicka Barnes, 7, and Kirra Plithakis, 5, a fact Division 8 councillor Jessie Richardson said showed the State Government was too slow to act when it came to large crocodiles.
“Because they’ve had a chance to name it, it makes it worse; some child’s likely to go down there thinking it’s a game,” Cr Richardson said.
“I just think they (rangers) need to be more effective; they need to move crocodiles on.”
A crocodile seen underneath the Captain Cook Highway Bridge at Machans Beach was reported to the department on April 18.
As it is in Zone B, the animal has been targeted for removal.
It’s the latest in a string of sightings that have led to calls for tougher action on crocs around urban areas.
Barron River MP Craig Crawford said there was little that could be done to stop crocodiles entering the Barron River and rangers could not be expected to trap a crocodile as soon as it was seen.
“Just because a crocodile has been seen, doesn’t mean the strategy isn’t working,” he said.
“The crocodile will be targeted for removal; they’ll put a trap in the area ... it can take days or even weeks to catch a crocodile.”
Mr Crawford said the Environment Department was preparing to release an app that would allow the public to provide instant crocodile reports to the CrocWise website.