Croc a problem no more Alert cancelled as reported menace fails to show

WILDLIFE officers have cancelled an alert for a problem crocodile after failing to find any sign of it since it was seen at the Port of Townsville.

The reptile, believed to be about 4m long, was caught on surveillance camera floating on the surface of the port channel on November 14.

It was immediately declared a “problem crocodile” by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection. An EHP spokeswoman said no further sightings of it were reported at the port area, so the declaration was rescinded.

“It is likely that the animal was just moving through the area,” she said.

Under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan the Port of Townsville is within Zone D, meaning any croco- dile longer than 2m or any smaller crocodile displaying dangerous behaviour will be targeted for removal.

On November 18, a person reported seeing two objects, believed to be crocodiles, from an apartment block at the southern end of The Strand.

Wildlife officers assessed the site but saw no crocodiles.

Last Saturday, lifeguards reported seeing the tail of an animal swimming away from The Strand toward the marina.

“Wildlife officers attended and installed recent sighting warning signs,” the EHP spokeswoman said.

Meanwhile, police have charged a 32- year- old man with obstruction of conservation officers and interfering with crocodile traps.

Wildlife officers were trying to remove a trap containing a 4m croc from the water at the Coconuts boat ramp in Innis- fail on November 21 when the man approached them and allegedly started arguing about the crocodile while they were reversing the trap trailer down the boat ramp.

The man allegedly stood on the trailer and extended the winch.

While the officers were pulling the trap out of the water, the man allegedly entered the water to waist depth and pushed at the trap.

The man’s behaviour agitated the crocodile and it struck the side of the trap near where he was standing.

EHP senior wildlife officer Tony Frisby said: “Removing a large crocodile is tricky enough and we certainly don’t need intervention by members of the public.”

The man will appear at the Innisfail Magistrates Court on December 18.

Members of the public are encouraged to report any further crocodile sightings to EHP on 1300 130 372.