Croc sighting raises alarm before busy time at The Strand

A FOUR- METRE crocodile was spotted off The Strand over the weekend.

The crocodile sighting came as crowds flocked to the beachfront for the sculpture festival Strand Ephemera and just 24 hours before the Magnetic Island to Townsville Swim.

A Department of Environment and Heritage Protection spokeswoman said wildlife officers responded to a report of a crocodile 4km offshore from Strand Park about 7am on Saturday.

“The crocodile was reportedly seen in the Middle Reef area, heading towards Magnetic Island,” she said.

“Middle Reef is within the General Management Zone E according to the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan and any crocodile displaying dangerous behaviour is targeted for removal.

“It is quite possible that the crocodile was only moving through the area and is now somewhere else.”

Warning signs have been erected on The Strand, as well as at the Townsville Port after a 1.5m crocodile was reported swimming in the Ross River towards the port on July 21.

The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection spokeswoman said a member of the public had also reported seeing two crocodiles 200m upstream from the boat ramp at the north end of Balgal Beach on July 20.

“The first animal, reported to be approximately 3m in length, was seen sunning on a bank while the second crocodile was reported to be smaller with only the top of its head visible from above the water,” she said.