Mornington Shire Council is advising residents to exercise caution after daily sightings of crocodiles around Karaban on Mornington Island (Gunana).
The Council says the size and behaviour of the crocodiles is a cause for concern and they accompanied their media release with the front page photo from the September 2016 North West Star of a possible sighting of the famous Whitey the albino crocodile.
That crocodile was four metres long and first spotted near the island in 2015. Dr Berry Zondag took the photo from a boat looking onto Denham Island, right across from Mornington Island’s boat ramp.
While the council did not say if the current sighting were the same croc, it issued the sensible warning to “keep families, children and pets away from local waterways (especially at times near dark – early morning and late afternoon)”
“These apex predators are becoming more active,” the Council said.
“The crocodiles are reportedly acting very aggressive and are over 3.5 metres long.”
Please report all sightings by calling (toll free) 1300 130 372.