SNAPPY RESIDENT MOVED ON
A SALTWATER crocodile spotted basking on the banks of a man-made lake near a Townsville hotel, homes and shops has been captured in the night.
A member of the public spotted the 2.2m crocodile sunning at Paradise Lake, near Mercure Resort and reported it on July 9.
Department of Environment and science officers declared the croc a problem due to its size and the urban location of where it was living, and planned how they would catch him.
Senior wildlife officer Tony Frisby and his team tracked down the crocodile on Monday night.
“On the night of July 25, wildlife officers were able to get close enough to the crocodile by boat to slip the noose over its snout using a long bamboo pole. They then removed the animal from the wild,” Mr Frisby said.
“Using a noose for direct capture takes a lot of stealth and skill as crocodiles are often spooked and sink when approached by a boat.”
Mr Frisby said the croc could have slipped into the lake from Ross Creek.
Footage after the capture shows
officers releasing the animal becoming aggravated after it was released into a small pond in a holding yard.
The animal will now be placed in a crocodile farm in Far North
Queensland.
“Every crocodile sighting report is investigated by wildlife officers, and estuarine crocodiles that pose a threat to human safety are targeted for removal under the Queensland
Crocodile Management Plan,” Mr Frisby said.
“I would like to thank the person who initially reported the crocodile and its location to the department through the Qwildlife app,” he said.
Members of the public are encouraged to report all crocodile sightings in the Townsville region as soon as possible, through the Qwildlife app or by calling 1300 130 372.