One Nation to introduce croc ranches

ONE Nation will introduce crocodile “ranching” to Queensland, allowing wild croc egg harvesting, if it gains power in the upcoming state election.

It comes as wildlife officers are struggling to catch a crocodile that has been lingering around a popular Cairns waterhole.

Anger at a lack of perceived action over problem reptiles across the Far North has been mounting, with three local councils writing to Environment Minister Steven Miles calling upon the State Government to do more to curb increasing numbers of crocodiles in populated areas.

One Nation’s party leader Steve Dickson announced yesterday the party would introduce croc ranches in a bid to protect people from the predators.

“In North Queensland, every time the flooding rains come, half of the crocodile eggs are drowned, and they just go to waste,” he said.

“We want to work hand in glove with indigenous communities to collect those eggs, and start crocodile farms throughout Queensland for commercial purposes so they can have their own businesses.”

He said if a crocodile was harassing or causing a problem to humans, it would be “humanely euthanased” or relocated to a croc farm.

The current management policy is similar, however crocs are rarely euthanased by Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) wildlife officers unless the animal is perceived as being highly aggressive towards humans.

The crocodile that attacked and killed Cairns spearfisherman Warren Hughes last month at Palmer Point, north of the mouth of the Russell River, was shot dead by rangers a few days after the incident.

Meanwhile, an EHP spokeswoman said a replacement trap had been set for a crocodile that was spotted at the Ross & Locke reserve on the Mulgrave River last week.

As of yesterday afternoon, no animal had been caught in the trap.

“Earlier this week, contractors authorised by EHP had to remove a trap for repairs, after it was vandalised over the past weekend – with the mesh and gate mechanism of the trap being badly damaged,” the spokeswoman said.

“Interfering with crocodile traps is foolish in the extreme and a potentially life-threatening activity.”