No luck after extensive search for shock croc sighted at beachfront camping spot

A crocodile seen multiple times near a popular camping spot in the Great Sandy Strait is still out there somewhere but rangers say they’ll remove it if found. UPDATE.

Despite extensive vessel-based searches over the last couple of days, a two-metre crocodile spotted by a ranger near a beachfront camping area at Inskip Point has still not been found.

Multiple sightings of the animal were reported, including a video by a member of the public this week.

The first sighting was reported at the Sarawak West camping area within the Great Sandy Marine Park, with experts saying it is likely to be the same animal recently sighted at Coonarr Beach near Bundaberg.

A ranger from the Department of the Environment, Tourism and Science saw the 2m crocodile on the beach about 11am on Monday, February 3, and watched it flee into the ocean.

The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation has since received four additional sighting reports of the crocodile in the area.

Video taken by camper Chris Kelly on February 3 shows the crocodile swimming close to the beach near the barge landing.

Senior wildlife officer Joshua Morris said on Wednesday wildlife officers conducted land-based searches on February 3 and 4 using a drone but did not confirm the presence of the animal with poor weather conditions hampering their search.

“Wildlife officers will conduct further land and water-based searches today, including an intensive vessel-based spotlight search tonight,” Mr Morris said.

The ranger took photos of the crocodile’s body imprint on the sand, it’s claw marks and marks made by its sliding tail.

 “We thank the people who provided the sighting reports and urge anyone who sees what they believe to be a crocodile to make a sighting report as soon as possible.

“Fishers and people on the beach are an extra set of eyes in the search for this crocodile.

“Rangers have installed crocodile warning signs at key locations and will continue to provide advice to people in camping areas in the Inskip Point region.

The search for a crocodile continues at Inskip Point.

“This crocodile has fled into the water at the sight of people and has so far avoided crowded beaches, but we still need people to be vigilant around the water.

“Make considered choices when it comes to swimming and use a barrier such as an esky when fishing from the beach.

“We believe the crocodile might head back north to its habitat when weather conditions improve, but if it stays in the southeast Queensland region, it will be removed from the wild.”

After the initial sighting on Monday, the ranger took photos of the crocodile’s body imprint on the sand, its claw marks and marks made by its sliding tail.

At the time, Mr Morris said the animal was likely to be the same crocodile recently videoed on Coonarr Beach, near Bundaberg.

“Rangers will be notifying people in camping areas in the Inskip Point region and wildlife officers will install recent crocodile sight warning signs,” Mr Morris said.

Map of Inskip Point showing the Sarawak and Beagle campgrounds – the sinkhole has opened up in between those two camping area.

“People in the area are urged to be vigilant around the water, keep their children close and use an esky or similar as a barrier while fishing.

“As part of our investigation, we will conduct ground patrols, vessel-based searches and use drones to check the surrounding coastline.

“We are asking people in the Rainbow Beach region, including boaties, to make a sighting report if they see what they believe to be a crocodile.

“Each sighting report is important and provides us with information about the location and behaviour of crocodiles.

“Under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan, Rainbow Beach is atypical crocodile habitat, and we will target this crocodile for removal from the wild if it is located.