Huge croc stalks ferry

A LARGE crocodile that has been following a car ferry as it crosses a Cape York river has a far northern mayor fearful of the potential for tragedy.

A 4-5m saltwater crocodile has been photographed swimming alongside the ferry at Jardine River crossing, about 750km northwest of Cairns.

With the water level dropping in the river, Northern Peninsula Area mayor Eddy Newman fears the predator poses a danger if anyone chooses to cross the waterway in their own vehicle and becomes bogged.

Cr Newman said there had always been crocs in the river but it was strange that the reptile had taken to following the ferry as it moved back and forth across the waterway.

“It’s the first time we’ve actually seen a croc come up to the ferry,” he said.

The water level is extremely low in the river due to a lack of rainfall across the region.