Croc location kept secret
Resident concerned about repeat killing
A WOMAN who captured a picture of another crocodile in a creek near Lake Placid does not want to identify its exact location for fear it may be killed by authorities.
Stoney Creek resident Jessica Young was walking with her sister in July when they spotted the animal, believed to be under 2m, sunning itself on a rock along the creek.
She said she had been left horrified by a decision by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection to shoot dead a saltwater crocodile in Lake Placid earlier this week and did not want the second animal to face the same fate.
“I just thought, ‘how could they have done this?’ ” she said.
“I grew up in Cairns, I’ve lived here for 23 years and it’s just never occurred to me to kill a native animal.”
The hospitality worker has lived in the Stoney Creek area most of her life, but never swam in Lake Placid due to concerns over crocodiles.
She said this did not mean they needed to be removed and if people chose to enter the water despite warning signs that was their choice.
“This is just part of living in an area that has dangerous animals,” she said.
“Either live beside them or don’t live here.”
Although rumours about the crocodile had been around for years, it was only reported to the department in April and a trap was set.
The targeted predator managed to avoid capture but its presence was confirmed when a tourist took a picture of it late last month.
It was this evidence which prompted authorities to take lethal action amid concerns for public safety. It was shot dead and removed by rangers on Tuesday morning.
Ms Young said she had initially been surprised to see the second croc in the creek, but realised it was only a short distance from the Barron River which is a known habitat.