A three-metre crocodile that moved into the Cardwell Marina recently was captured in a baited trap on 9 May 2024.
Wildlife officers from the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) set the floating trap in the marina on 8 May to capture a larger animal that had been behaving aggressively around boats.
The targeted animal had been declared a problem crocodile after reportedly lunging at the resident of a houseboat in April, then repeatedly swimming around the vessel. It is also reported to have taken a dog at the marina.
The three-metre crocodile that was captured was not the targeted animal.
Director of Northern wildlife Operations, Lindsay Delzoppo, said the animal will be temporarily placed in a holding facility before being placed in a crocodile farm or zoo.
"Cardwell is crocodile habitat, and the presence of crocodiles in the marina is a timely reminder for people in the region that they are in Croc Country," Mr Delzoppo said.
"We are concerned that the crocodiles entering the marina and hanging around boats may have been due to them being deliberately fed or accessing discarded fish frames and bait.
"People are responsible for their own safety in Croc Country, and we're asking people to make sensible choices around the water.
"That means never deliberately feeding crocodiles or giving them easy access to food. Crocodiles have been around for millions of years, and they can source their own food.
"We observed no turtles in the marina and relatively few fish, so some other attractant must have drawn the crocodiles into the marina.
"Today, our staff observed baited crab pots on pontoons in the marina, which may have been what attracted the crocodiles – they have a highly developed sense of smell, allowing them to detect prey or animal carcasses, on the land and in the water, from far away.
"The crocodiles are hanging around the marina for one reason, and that reason is food, so we're asking people in Croc Country to properly dispose of unwanted bait and fish frames at home or in bins provided by councils at boat ramps.
"Crocodiles will quickly get accustomed to free food and will start approaching people and may start behaving aggressively, as the target animal did in the marina.
"We will reset the trap for the targeted animal shortly, and we're asking everyone in Croc Country to report all crocodile sightings to the department as soon as possible."
Crocodiles are highly mobile and can be found in streams and waterways throughout north Queensland, even if there are no warning signs.
Crocodile sightings can be reported by using the QWildlife app, completing a crocodile sighting report on the DESI website, or by calling 1300 130 372. The department investigates every crocodile sighting report received.
People in the Cardwell area are urged to be Crocwise, which includes:
- Expect crocodiles in all waterways even if there is no warning sign
- Obey all warning signs – they are there to keep you safe
- Be aware crocs also swim in the ocean and be extra cautious around water at night
- Stay well away from crocodile traps – that includes when fishing and boating
- The smaller the vessel the greater the risk, so avoid using canoes and kayaks
- Stand back from the water's edge when fishing and don't wade in to retrieve a lure
- Camp at least 50 metres from the edge of the water
- Never leave food, fish scraps or bait near the water, at camp sites or at boat ramps
- Never provoke, harass, or feed crocs
- Always supervise children near the water and keep pets on a lead.
