Giant crocodile takes head off 400kg cow
A LARGE crocodile removed from a Tully creek ripped the head off a 400kg cow that came down to the waterway for a drink.
The manager of a rural property at Boar Creek, where 10 head of cattle have been taken by four crocodiles in the past year, has shed more light on the ravenous reptiles wreaking havoc on his stock.
Department of Environment and Heritage Protection wildlife officers removed a 4m saltwater crocodile from Munro Plains station, about 15km west of Tully, on Monday after it exhibited “concerning behaviour”.
A departmental spokesman said the large crocodile was removed from the creek after it had killed and eaten a calf and two dogs.
However property manager Chris Davy, who has worked at the station for 18 years for owner John Porta, said the losses had been far greater than reported.
“To my knowledge, we’ve lost 10 head of cattle that I know of in that time, but we could have lost more. We have cattle that have gone missing in that time,” he said.
“We’ve also lost five dogs, and two horses were badly bitten.
“One had to have 75 stitches in her head and another was mauled on her hindquarters. They both recovered, though.”
He said the cow that was killed recently by the crocoodile was a new addition to the station and had cost the owners about $800.
“The cow that they got, it was a fully grown, 400kg cow,” he said.
“She probably came down to drink on the other side, or she fell in, because she was only new here.
“We only purchased her the fortnight before.
“Her head was bitten completely off.”
The working dogs they have lost were valued at about $3000.
“The dogs were the worst thing,” Mr Davy said.
“They are working, they’re running around, they’re hot, and they are always trying to get a drink, but we have to stop them.
“If they jump in there, they’re dead. We keep our eye on them, but every time you make a mistake, you lose a dog.”
The crocodile was trapped on Monday morning and it is expected it will be taken to a crocodile farm or zoo.