Trap closes on river life for 3m Rosie
MACHANS Beach’s resident croc Rosie has been outsmarted.
Late yesterday afternoon locals noticed the door on a trap, set on Tuesday in the Barron River, had snapped shut.
A Department of Environment and Heritage Protection spokeswoman confirmed a 3m crocodile had been caught near Machans Beach. The trap was set following
Cairns Post reports about a large crocodile seen lurking near the boat ramp.
“It is likely to be the crocodile that has been seen near the boat ramp,” the spokeswoman said.
“The crocodile will be removed from the river by contractors and taken to a purpose-built facility, where it will be offered to a farm or zoo.”
Local Joseph Zappia had been visiting the river regularly to spot Rosie over the past week.
Yesterday he noticed a crocodile thrashing around inside the trap.
“I had just picked up my son and we came down and saw the trap,” he said. “It kept putting its head up. “I wasn’t concerned he was there at all. I’d like to see it go back to its natural habitat.”
An EHP spokeswoman said crocodile sightings should be reported on 1300 130 372.
The department investigates all crocodile reports it receives. The Queensland Government encourages pub- lic safety through its Croc-Wise campaign.
Further information on crocodiles and being Croc-Wise, including video safety tips on boating and fishing, is available at www.ehp.qld.gov.au