Croc at tourist hot spot

Rangers targeting reptile for removal

A TOURISM leader has urged rangers to remove a crocodile lurking at a popular snorkelling destination on the Great Barrier Reef.

The Department of Environment and Science has confirmed it has targeted for removal a 1.8m-2m saltwater crocodile, whose slide marks have been spotted by visitors to Low Isles five times since December 15.

A department spokeswoman said wildlife officers had carried out a survey of the tourist location, 15km off Port Douglas, and found signs the croc had been travelling from the ocean into thick vegetation on Low Island at night to feed.

“It is likely the crocodile inhabits nearby Woody Island, also in the Low Isles group, as there is no suitable habitat to shelter a crocodile on Low Island itself,” she said.

“Wildlife officers have installed recent crocodile sighting warning signs on Low Island to alert visitors to the presence of the animal.

“As the Low Isles group is a high-use tourist visitor area, the crocodile will be targeted for removal.

“All crocodiles that pose a threat to human safety are targeted for removal under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan.”

There have been only two confirmed sightings of the dangerous reptiles at the tourist destination in the past 20 years.

Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree executive officer Tara Bennett urged the department to do whatever it could to make Low Isles a safe location for snorkellers.

“We’d like to see the croc removed,” she said. “I think it really highlights the need for prompt responses to crocodiles being seen in highly used areas, not just by locals but by visitors.”