Crocodile spotted at Bucasia Beach in Mackay

Authorities have identified how a dead crocodile was found sprawled on the sand of a Mackay beach as the number of reported sightings across the region are revealed. TAKE THE POLL.

Authorities have ruled out human intervention as the cause of the juvenile crocodile found dead on the sand of a Mackay beach.

A caravanner took to Facebook on Saturday to warn the public to steer clear of Bucasia Beach, posting photographs of his discovery in the Crusader Caravan Owners of Australia group.

“I would think twice about swimming or letting your dog have a swim here,” Barry Casperson published.

“On the beach this morning, dead but hasn’t been dead long.”

A Department of Environment and Science spokesman said it would not be investigating as there were no signs of foul play.

“The cause of death is difficult to determine but it is possible it was a shark attack,” the spokesman said.

He said a submission to the QWildlife app estimated the crocodile was about 1.5m long, with its carcass since removed and disposed of.

“At that size it is difficult to tell if the animal was a male or female,” the spokesman said.

“Mature males can grow five-plus metres while mature females tend to be around 3.5m.”

In one photo of the crocodile, which was later shared in the Bucasia Beach and Shoal Point Community Group, the skin from its back is removed, allowing you to see inside its body.

The crocodile was found not far from Bucasia Beachfront Caravan Resort.

The DES spokesman said Mackay was known “croc country” with more than 50 reported sightings lodged to QWildlife in 2021.

“Crocodiles are highly mobile and use the ocean to move between creek and river systems in the search of territory or a mate,” he said.

“It is not unusual for crocodiles to be spotted in the ocean or on beaches in croc country.

“People in the greater region are urged to be crocwise and expect crocodiles in all waterways even if there are not warning signs.

“Remember, you are responsible for your own safety in croc country.”

Bucasia Beachfront Caravan Resort manager Colleen Vidler said the owners had never spotted a crocodile.

“(They) have had the resort since 2012,” Ms Vidler said.

“I’ve never seen a live one and to the best of my knowledge no one’s ever seen a live one on the beach.

“We get lots of things washed up on the beach, little wobbegongs, sharks, but they’re always dead.

“I guess when they die, they’ve got to go somewhere.”

The Bucasia Beach sighting follows another spotting inland of St Helens Beach on November 25 and also at Bloomsbury on December 6.

In 2019, a Northern Beaches resident reportedly spotted a crocodile swimming in the waters off Bucasia Beach, posting a warning in the Bucasia Beach and Shoal Point Community Group on Facebook.

In 2020, Dolphin Heads resident Louise Smith said she spotted a three-metre crocodile swimming 150m off the shoreline, making its way to nearby Eimeo.

In 2016, residents were asking authorities to remove a crocodile frequenting Eimeo Beach and Sunset Bay.

For more information on staying safe in crocodile country visit the Department of Environment and Science’s Crocwise website. 

What you’ve said on Facebook:

Samantha Curd: Saw one in the Gooseponds many years ago sunning itself on the concrete wall near the bridge on Malcomson Street.

Azara Goodson: Grew up near the Base Hospital, used to jump off the train bridge or the low road bridge all the time. One day there was about 10 of us kids hanging right next to the road bridge, few on the bridge jumping off and a few just there.

We all stopped really quickly when a fisherman’s dog started screaming and we saw it getting dragged into the water by about a 2m croc right there about 20m from us on the mud flat.

We always seen the signage on the other side of the river but never believed then to be there, never jumped off the bridge or swam there after that.

Carolyn Roberts: There was a juvenile sunbaking northern end of Seaforth beach about one year ago. Didn’t notice until it took off very quickly – very nearly stood on it!

Diana Simmons: Of course! Every year it amazes me that people freak out in shock that there is a crocodile that swims along the Northern Beaches. The signs are there for a reason.

Allison Rogers: That’s a bit sad. Aunty told me there has always been crocs in the creek, they swap out when they get too big for that estuary. We have them at all the beaches here in Cairns where I now live, they use the ocean like a high way to go from creek to creek. Been swimming at Bucasia for over 60yrs, I’m more worried about the jellies.

Kirstie Louise: I not ever seen a croc dead or alive in the wild ever. Only ever seen them in parks.

Andrew Cocup: I’ve spotted hundreds of alive ones, what’s the issue we know the(y) live here in our systems have done for a long time.

Cody Turner: Good croc is a dead croc

Anne McGuiness: And they keep telling us the croc numbers aren’t increasing!

Kai Baldock: The creek is full of them. Increasing numbers or not, why are people surprised

Danille Sandow: Anita Coe wow! Dogs were swimming yesterday

Alī Ğëë: that is pretty cool. Poor crocodile

Suze Maree: This is why we stopped swimming at Bucasia beach.

Damon Maxwell: Oh that’s sad, he only looks young

Sue Stewart-foo: Damon Maxwell better off dead instead of killing someone

Melanie Cameron-Arthur: Wow … wonder what killed it.

Neen Jung: Give me a brown snake over one of those things any day of the week … Eeekkk