AN AgForce Queensland employee has fronted court today in Rockhampton charged with the killing of a 5.2m crocodile in the Rockhampton region.
Luke Orchard, Belmont Research Station, Rockhampton, was fined $10,000 in court today with no conviction recorded. He could have been fined up to $50,000.
Mr Orchard began working at the Belmont Research Station in September 2016 under his father, Phil Orchard, who manages the AgForce-owned property.
AgForce CEO Michael Guerin Mr Orchard will be “subject to internal disciplinary action from AgForce”.
“We do not condone anyone deliberately breaking the law, and there was simply no excuse for Mr Orchard’s actions,” Mr Geurin said.
“Mr Orchard has now faced the consequences of his actions in the courts and he will also be subject to internal disciplinary action from AgForce.
“AgForce supports efforts to better manage crocodiles to minimise risk to human life and potential stock losses, but no one should ever take the law into their own hands.”
AgForce did not pay any of Mr Orchard’s legal fees.