Crocodile seen in Coorooman Creek near Zilzie | Video

Locals and visitors have been urged to remain “crocwise” after a number of sightings and footage emerging of a crocodile basking in shallow water near a popular boat ramp in Central Queensland. VIDEO.

A person has had a close call with an elusive crocodile at Coorooman Creek, just a day after footage emerged of a crocodile basking in shallow waters near the boat ramp.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service first received a report of the crocodile near the Coorooman Creek boat ramp near Zilzie on December 18.

Officers observed a crocodile that was about 2.5m in length in the shallows about 40m from the boat ramp.

They went back on December 19 for a secondary patrol but the crocodile was not seen in the area.

Incredible drone footage captured the crocodile basking in the water just metres from the popular boat ramp before submerging back into the water.

On Friday, January 5, two more reported sightings of a crocodile at Coorooman Creek were added the the Department of Environment and Science’s croc sighting map.

Capricornia MP Michelle Landry said she was notified on Friday that a crocodile had tried to take a bait bucket from a fisherman at Coorooman Creek.

“I have been notified this morning, that the crocodile which has been reported at Coorooman Creek tried to take a bait bucket off a fisherman,” she said.

“Please take care. It is a beautiful day, but you do not know what is lurking in the water.”

It’s not the only crocodile that’s been reported to authorities in recent weeks.

On December 15, a large crocodile was spotted in the Fitzroy River downstream from the barrage, estimated to be about 4.5m in length.

On December 15, a large crocodile was spotted in the Fitzroy River downstream from the barrage, estimated to be about 4.5m in length.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) officers confirmed the presence of the reptile near the barrage construction site.

Rockhampton MP Barry O’Rourke said QPWS officers advised the crocodile was not displaying any dangerous behaviour, but locals and visitors needed to be aware of the presence of the reptiles above and below the barrage.

“Wildlife officers provided ‘crocwise’ messaging to the construction crew and closely monitored the crocodile, which swam downstream near the railway bridge and across the river before submerging,” he said.

On December 18, QPWS received a report of another crocodile sighting near the Coorooman Creek boat ramp near Zilzie.

Mr O’Rourke and Keppel MP Brittany Lauga encouraged locals and visitors around Central Queensland to be ‘crocwise’ and to report any crocodile sightings to QPWS.

“Wildlife officers investigate every report QPWS receive, and estuarine crocodiles that pose a threat to human safety are targeted for removal under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan,” Mr O’Rourke said.

“Remember, you are responsible for your own safety in croc country, and Rockhampton is known ‘Croc Country’ and people must be ‘crocwise’ when you are near the water.”

“I’d encourage locals and those visiting our region over the holidays to be ‘crocwise’, and report all crocodile sightings as soon as possible by using the QWildlife app or by calling 1300 130 372,” Ms Lauga said.

It comes just just over a month after a crocodile was targeted for removal from the Fitzroy River in a “high traffic” area of the river.

In May last year, wildlife officers set a floating trap to capture a 4.5m crocodile in the Pink Lily area, upstream from the barrage.

It was believed to be the same crocodile that forced the cancellation of a rowing regatta earlier that month.

The reptile was captured and removed from the river in July.