An iconic 4.2-metre estuarine crocodile trapped and removed from the Dicksons Inlet estuary at Port Douglas in September will have a new home at a crocodile farm near Lakeland south-west of Cooktown.
Environment Minister Dr Steven Miles said the reptile's very large size made it an ‘icon crocodile’ under conservation laws, which brought into play special requirements about placing and keeping the animal.
“Once caught, an icon crocodile must only be sent to a registered crocodile farm or zoo which agrees to house it for the rest of its days and to use it for educational purposes,' Dr Miles said.
“There will also be a female crocodile next door so he may be used for breeding once he settles into his new pond.”
The Dickson’s inlet crocodile was caught by EHP wildlife officers on 9 September 2016, after reports of a large crocodile which had been regularly seen near the restaurant and adjacent boat ramp. The animal had also been seen basking on the rocks beneath the restaurant at dusk.
Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said EHP had been advised the croc had started approaching boats and people.
“This behaviour suggests that humans had been feeding it or leaving fish scraps in the area,” Mr Crawford said.
“The animal was held at an EHP facility while arrangements were made to accommodate the crocodile in accordance with its iconic status.”
The Palaszczuk Government has removed 65 crocodiles in Queensland this year, under a management plan that targets crocodiles that were aggressive, or more than two metres long.
That compares with 37 in 2015; 62 in 2014; 36 in 2013, and 9 in 2012.
Most of the crocs removed in the past five years in “Croc Country’’ have been in Cairns – 124; followed by the Cassowary Coast – 25; Torres and Cape York – 20; Port Douglas – 15; Townsville – 14; Hinchinbrook – 8; Fraser Coast – 2; and Mackay – 1.
These crocodiles have been rehomed at farms or zoos distributed between the Sunshine Coast and Cape York Peninsula.
The largest crocodile removed in Queensland this year was a 4.7-metre male from The Strand.
Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said these large “icon’ crocs had been placed with registered crocodile facilities.
“These facilities agreed to look after the crocs for the rest of their days and to use them for educational purposes,” Mr Harper said.
Harvest Home Station Crocodile Farm manager Klay Bartlett – who took in the 4.2 metre long crocodile from Dicksons Inlet on Tuesday – said it was “settling in nicely to its new pond”.
“We hope to use him for breeding in the future if we can find a suitable female,” Mr Bartlett said.
“I think the crocodile management plan implemented by the Queensland Government is working well, and after all it is definitely in the interest of public safety.
“We are happy to take in these beautiful animals and give them a nice new home,” he said.
