RANGERS SET TRAPS AFTER REMAINS FIND
results of the State Government’s crocodile survey.
“Everyone who lives up north knows that the numbers are exploding. They’re in all the waterways where they’ve never been before and we don’t seem to have any power up there to do anything about this,” he said.
“I think if there were crocodiles in Breakfast Creek to- WILDLIFE officers are expected to set traps for a crocodile believed responsible for taking an elderly woman missing near Port Douglas as her family comes to terms with their worst fears.
Authorities are yet to confirm if a crocodile was involved or if remains found beside a creek belong to 79year- old Anne Cameron, but her granddaughter Isabella Eggins, who has been part of the two- day search, said the family feared the worst.
“Following an extensive search and the discovery of certain items as a result of that search, we have the firm belief that ... Anne Cameron has passed away in tragic circumstances,” she said.
The Ozcare resident is believed to have dementia and was last seen on Tuesday afternoon. Clothes and “biological matter” believed to be human remains were found in a creek south of Four Mile Beach.
Acting Inspector Ed Lukin said clothing and a walking stick with Ms Cameron’s name on it, along with the remains, were discovered yesterday.
He said the remains were undergoing forensic testing in Cairns.
“Because of the proximity of these items and this unknown material located by this creek bank we cannot rule out a croc attack. We still hold out hope that we will find this missing person alive,” he said. morrow and snapped at someone’s foot, I think we’d have laws through this parliament tomorrow.”
Dalrymple MP Shane Knuth was disappointed the bill hadn’t been progressed more quickly.
“When it comes to what the government’s doing, yeah, they’re putting up croc signs, they’re doing counts, but this is
Yesterday, a Department of Environment and Heritage Protection spokesman said EHP wildlife officers had been assisting police in the search and would continue surveillance through the night.
A 3m crocodile was captured on Wednesday night in an EHP trap in Dicksons Inlet and removed.
Ms Cameron had only been at the Ozcare facility for a few weeks and had previously left the premises, seeking the help of the public to return home.
Ozcare Port Douglas facility manager Daniel Robinson declined to comment on how Ms Cameron could have left without staff knowing.
“Our hearts and thoughts are with Anne’s family and we are hoping for her safe return,” he said.
Douglas Shire Council Mayor Julia Leu said it was a “dreadful situation” and “absolutely tragic”. is not going to alleviate the problems where you’ve got attacks on humans, attacks on dogs,” Mr Knuth said.
“This is a very sad moment for Queensland.”
Townsville Deputy Mayor Les Walker said the Port Douglas incident was of concern to all North Queensland residents.
“There heightened awareness of crocodiles up and down the length of the east coast,” he said. “If activity is increased, more action is no doubt needed.”
Cr Walker said crocodiles had spread to areas where they never had been in his younger years. “I’d never seen crocodiles in the local creeks but now I see them all the time,” he said.