Shooter called in to take out croc
LETHAL force will be used to remove a large crocodile from Lake Placid after four months of fruitless trapping efforts.
The Cairns Post can reveal that a “sharpshooter” has been called in and was at the Caravonica waterway last night to target the three-metre saltwater predator.
The action follows an urgent meeting between specialist crocodile catchers and contracted Aboriginal Corporation rangers who have been trying to catch it.
A tourist captured a picture of the elusive animal a week ago before it was snapped sunning itself on the same rock by the Cairns Post on Thursday.
Environment Minister Steven Miles said the decision to use fatal force was based on public concern and the behaviour of the reptile.
“In this case they have said the Aboriginal Corporation has done everything they reasonably can under their contract, but this particular croc is being very wary,” he said.
“It is probably also coming and going from Lake Placid, making it even harder to catch.
“So after I asked EHP to offer assistance.
“I’m confident the (Lake) Placid croc will be removed.”
A Department of Environment and Heritage Protection spokeswoman said wildlife officers inspected the lake on Thursday with EHP’s contrac- tors conducting a patrol that night.
She said this was done to monitor the crocodile’s movements and consider the best ways to remove it.
“The patrol confirmed that the crocodile remains extremely wary of people with contractors once again unable to get close to the animal,” she said.
Only three other crocs have been killed in the Far North this year, the most recent being in June when two large reptiles were shot in the Cape York community of Wujal Wujal.
Residents have claimed one of them was killed in a case of mistaken identity, although Mr Miles said, at the time, both had been aggressive.
One had eaten at least three dogs.
The four-metre croc which killed Cairns spear fisherman Warren Hughes in the Russell River in March was also shot.