Saltie stirs up paddle boarders
Waterways now awash with crocs
growing number of crocodile encounters and sightings in waterways previously thought safe are forcing clubs and recreational water-sport groups to reassess where and how they spend time enjoying the Far North’s beautiful waterways.
What’SUP Cairns was forced to relocate their local paddling sessions away from the Fisheries Crossing bridge in the Goldsborough Valley after a two metre saltwater crocodile was spotted eating ducks in the area.
Owner Ally Chadburn said she was devastated when she saw the crocodile warning sign.
“I have been paddling that area for 25 years and have been operating my business from there for seven and had never seen anything,” she said.
Ms Chadburn said that being crocwise was always front and centre for her operations but sightings in new locations were changing where she can safely operate her business.
“I always complete river checks and fly drones to check the areas we are using before I let anyone on the water,” Ms Chadburn said.
“I knew it would happen but now I am having to forfeit river locations or drive up to two hours to find a safe paddling spot which has a big impact on my business.”
Ms Chadburn thinks it is only going to get worse.
“This is the first time I've
heard of so many attacks or sightings in a month and it’s only going to get worse.
“Since the culling in the 80s and 90s stopped I think the population has just grown to the point where it is unavoidable that they’ll be in new spots.”
What’SUP has also previously been forced to end operations out of Clifton Beach after a large crocodile took up residence in the area and had
to change locations in Kuranda a number of times to avoid populations of aggressive freshwater crocodiles.
The Department of Environment and Science confirmed a crocodile sighting was reported on April 8, with DES wildlife officers conducting a detailed site inspection that did not locate the crocodile.
Further inspections will be completed this week.
“In recent years, DES has
noted a steady increase in the number of sightings in croc country, however this does not necessarily correlate with any actual increase in the crocodile population,” a department spokesman said.
“As urban development makes further inroads into crocodile habitat, there are naturally more people within that habitat to see crocodiles.”
Earlier this month the Cairns Rowing Club was also
forced out of the water after one crew’s training session was interrupted when a large crocodile grabbed the oar of one of the rowers.
The club operates out of the Trinity Inlet training for regattas and training.
After the incident they have been out of the water while they reassess their safety procedures.
The club was contacted for comment.