Croc sighted at lake
ANOTHER crocodile has surfaced at Lake Placid.
The Department of Environment and Science confirmed it was trying to remove a 1.5m croc that was spotted at the aquatic reserve at Caravonica by a Cairns Regional Council officer on Thursday last week.
A warning sign has been erected near the end of the Lake Placid car park.
It is the second time a croc has been targeted for removal from the lake in less than four months.
The lake, which is part of the Barron River system, was initially thought to be crocfree due to a series of rapids separating the waterway from the main branch of the river. The latest croc, which was understood to have been observed basking on a rock before slipping into the water, has been targeted for removal from the waterway by indigenous rangers. Once captured, it will be taken to a crocodile farm or zoo.
Lake Placid resident Peter Gunner, who kayaks once a week in the waterway, said he and his family never felt unsafe paddling on the lake.
“We don’t feel unsafe kayaking in the river, but that’s mainly because the larger crocs don’t seem to venture up this way,” he said. “It’s just not the right spot for them.”
He said despite the croc’s size, removing the animal from the lake was still the best course of action.
“There are still people who swim in here, so that would be the best thing to do,” he said. “There’s a lot of people who use the lake.
“When they let the water out (from the hydro-electric dam) in the afternoon, whitewater rafters come down all the time, but obviously not at the moment because everyone’s closed down.”
In late January, a 1.8m saltwater crocodile was removed from Lake Placid after a month of trapping by the Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation. In 2017, a 3m saltie was shot dead at the lake in after many months of failed trapping.
DES advises people to expect crocodiles in all Far North Queensland waterways, even if there is no warning sign.
People are warned to avoid using canoes and kayaks in croc territory, and to stand back from the water’s edge when fishing.
All crocodile sightings can be reported to the department by phoning 1300 130 372.
See the video at cairnspost.com.au