A photo has surfaced online of a man standing dangerously close to a Far North croc
An alarming photo of a man with a phone in his hand standing only metres away from a Far North croc has angered the internet.
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An alarming photo of a man with a phone in his hand standing only metres away from a Far North croc has infuriated locals.
The pictures taken at Clyde Road Bridge across the Russell River near Babinda shows two men standing only metres away from a crocodile on the sand with one significantly closer than the other.
The photos surfaced on social media on Tuesday afternoon with dozens of commenters fearful that the crocodile – that locals call Clyde – will be disturbed.
“Absolutely stupid … hopefully Clyde doesn’t get moved,” one comment said.
Another said: “If this keeps happening it’s only a matter of time (before) old Clyde will be targeted for removal.”
Others are shocked the men are that close.
“Unbelievable human behaviour,” one user wrote.
“What a tosser!,” another comment read.
Last month, a video of the same crocodile, Clyde, on the Russell River emerged with a fisherman standing on the water’s edge.
“I’ve seen some stupid things in Australia and some stupid people, but this takes the piss,” the man taking the video says.
“A big f**king croc on the beach … and a f**cking dickhead is fishing next to it.”
A Department of Environment and Science spokesman said the Queensland Government is committed to promoting the highest possible levels of public safety in crocodile habitat areas while seeking to preserve the species in the wild.
“Department of Environment and Science (DES) wildlife officers work hard to equip people with the tools and education they need to be Crocwise, and it is frustrating to see people take unnecessary, life-threatening risks in known crocodile habitat,” the spokesman said.
“The department is investigating possible changes to regulations to further deter people from taking unnecessary risks in Croc Country.”
The spokesman said their main focus is on helping people make sensible choices that avoid placing themselves at risk of attack.
“Under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan all crocodiles that pose a threat to human safety are targeted for removal from the wild.”
There have been 13 fatal attacks since December 1985 in Queensland.
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Originally published as A photo has surfaced online of a man standing dangerously close to a Far North croc