Yungaburra councillor joins movement to remove Lake Eacham croc

An elected official has spoken about whether a man-attacking freshwater crocodile should be removed from a go-to swim spot in Far North Queensland. See the video that made rangers take notice.

An elected official has entered the heated debate about whether to remove a man-attacking freshwater croc from a popular Tablelands swim spot.

Last Thursday a 62-year-old was bitten on the hand, knee and shoulder after completing his daily fitness swim at Lake Eacham in the Crater Lakes National Park.

Suffering significant injuries, the man was transferred from Atherton Hospital to Cairns before undergoing surgery for lacerations inflicted by super sharp teeth, freshwater crocodiles are known for.

A screenshot from a video taken by Atherton nurse Lisa Jensen showing her son in the water at Lake Eacham and the freshwater croc in close proximity. Picture: Lisa Jensen

Tablelands Division 4 councillor Dave Clifton this week kicked off an online survey asking locals if the reptiles should be relocated.

“By far the great majority want it removed, but others said they want it left alone,” he said.

“It has been all right for a while but now it has attacked someone it has to be removed.

“I will be as Division 4, councillor taking it to my colleagues to get them to agree to write a letter to national parks and wildlife to have it removed.”

The lake was closed in 2022 for two days after Lisa Jensen raised concerns about the “friendly” way the croc was behaving around people swimming at the end of the pontoon.

She sent the department a video clearly showing the croc “growling” at her son who was swimming a few meters from the animal.

A sign at Lake Eacham warning of freshwater crocodiles.

While closed, rangers studied the animal night and day to determine if it needed to be removed but found when approached the freshie shot off in the opposite direction.

Ms Jensen was satisfied with that decision but in light of last week’s attack the Atherton nurse said it was time to move the crocs on.

“I think they are just getting a bit too used to people,” she said.

“I have nothing against them, I don’t mind seeing them but just not coming in so close.

“I do feel it is getting a bit too comfortable and since (the attack) maybe they should consider moving it.

“But it won’t stop me from going there.

However retired Yungaburra doctor Ian Gibbs disagreed with any move to remove the Lake Eacham crocs.

“I personally think it should be left alone, years ago we went on a trip to the NT up the river that runs through Catherine and we saw several freshies and then we went for a swim,” he said.

The freshwater crocodile in Lake Eacham was a talking point after an attack on a 62-year-old man. Picture: Lease Beutel

“Except in exceptional cases, freshwater crocs don’t pose a risk to human beings and that’s why they shouldn’t be chased away.”

Contacted by the Cairns Post this week the Department of Environment and Science stated the snappy freshie wouldn’t be removed.

Follow @petercarruther1

Originally published as Yungaburra councillor joins movement to remove Lake Eacham croc