Crocodile sighting at Shark Creek, Tinnanbar, Fraser Coast

Rangers have responded to reports of a crocodile sighting well south of traditional territory on the Fraser Coast. Read what they had to say:

A crocodile sighting reported in waters near Tinnanbar has been investigated by wildlife officers at the Department of Environment and Science.

The sighting was reported through the QWildlife App on March 28, 2022, a DES spokesperson said.

It comes after this post on social media: “Heads up. Looks like a 2.5/3m salty has been spotted in Shark Creek. This is from a reliable source”.

The DES spokesperson said no presence of a crocodile was found in the investigation.

“A member of the public reported what they thought to be a crocodile with its head out of the water and feeding between the hours of 2am-6am while they were fishing in the mouth of Shark Creek,” a DES spokesperson said.

“Crocodiles do not typically live in the Wide Bay region, and the last confirmed sighting occurred back in 2014.

“The department receives sporadic crocodile sighting reports from the Wide Bay region and uses a variety of investigative techniques to reassure the community.

“This includes land and vessel based surveys, and the use of drones and photographs.

“Our experts can review photographs to determine the presence of nests or slide marks.

“On Thursday afternoon, wildlife officers conducted a site assessment and did a drone survey of the location.

“No evidence of the presence of a crocodile was found.”

A 3.8 m crocodile was caught by wildlife officers in the Mary River at Mungar in November 2014.

While crocodiles are not typically found near Tinnanbar, the reptiles are known to inhabit waters in the Mary River at Maryborough.

In 2014, a 3.8m crocodile was caught in the Mary River by wildlife officers, after it was first sighted two years earlier.

In recent years, the DES investigated three reported crocodile sightings off the Fraser Coast, one in waters off River Heads and two off Burrum Heads, north of Hervey Bay.

The DES encouraged all people in croc country to submit reports via the QWildlife App.

“Members of the public are encouraged to report all crocodile sightings to the department by using the QWildlife App or by calling 1300 130 372.

“The department investigates all crocodile sighting reports, and all crocodiles that pose a threat to human safety are targeted for removal under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan.”

This is a generic photo of a saltwater crocodile, also called a saltie or estuarine crocodile. Picture: iStock.