Crocodile reportedly sighted at Coolum Creek, Sunshine Coast

A LARGE crocodile has reportedly been spotted lurking in a popular Sunshine Coast fishing spot, and the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection has confirmed it is investigating.

The two-metre-long crocodile was reportedly spotted in Coolum Creek on Monday morning. (File pic)

WILDLIFE officers from the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) are investigating reports of a crocodile sighting at Coolum Creek on the Sunshine Coast.

The sighting was not officially reported to EHP, a spokesman said.

A LARGE crocodile has reportedly been spotted lurking in a popular Sunshine Coast fishing spot.

The Sunshine Coast Daily has reported 14-year-old Alex Ranson saw the “two-metre-long” croc in Coolum Creek on Monday morning.

The sighting prompted other fishermen to evacuate the area, which was a few hundred metres downstream from West Coolum Road boat ramp.

The sighting has been reported to Sunshine Coast Council who are currently looking into it.

Alex said he had been in the area looking for a fishing spot when two men in a tinnie warned him about the sighting.

“At the start, I didn’t really think anything, and when I saw the boat come past and scared it into the water, it kind of followed me,” he said.

“It was about the same size as my ski and I was thinking of it knocking me in,” he said.

Any estuarine crocodile south of the Boyne River, near Gladstone, is automatically targeted for removal.

The Boyne River is seen as the southern point of estuarine crocodiles’ habitat and the limit of known “Croc Country”.

The Sunshine Coast Council has said the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection are responsible for investigating the claims.

“The State Government is the lead agency responsible for crocodile management in Queensland,” a spokesman said.

“The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection records and investigates all crocodile reports made by the public and will take appropriate action based on the potential safety risk posed by the animal. Crocodile sightings in Queensland should be reported to CrocWatch on 1300 130 372.”