Croc shock for tourists
A CROCODILE that closed a packed Port Douglas beach on Tuesday has given tourists an exciting twist to their palm-fringed holiday.
A one metre saltwater croc shut down Four Mile Beach for four hours yesterday with wide-eyed tourists describing the moment they spotted the sneaky reptile trying to swim through the stinger nets.
Port Douglas lifeguard Connor O’Sullivan said the reptile was seen “swimming right up against the enclosure” forcing beachgoers out of the water.
“The beach was pretty packed so we got everyone out of the water and followed normal procedure,” he said.
“He swam right up against the net a couple of times then he disappeared. We put the drone up but didn’t see him again.”
Victorian visitors Michael and Bridgette O’Brien were walking along the main beach with their kids Matilda, 9, and Charlie, 7, when they got an unexpected surprise.
“As we got closer to the net you could see the lifeguards had cleared everyone out,” Mr O’Brien said.
“We then heard someone beside us say look, there’s a croc. The kids loved it. They love the reef and all the animals and found it very exciting.”
Mr O’Sullivan and his team patrolled the waters for the rest of the day using drone technology and quads, but the saltie “moved on pretty quickly”.
He said it was possible the animal was also spotted during a routine sea patrol on April 8 towards the southern end of the beach.
“We did see a similar size croc on a surf ski patrol on Thursday near the Sheraton Mirage Resort,” he said.
“We’re unsure if it’s the same one but it could be.
“It’s only a baby, probably between 1-1.2m in length. Everyone was very understanding.”
Mr O’Sullivan said lifeguards would use drones daily to help keep swimmers safe and the crocodile was reported to the Department of Environment and Science.