John Lever weighs in on several sightings of 4m long crocodile at Yeppoon Main Beach

‘They do get hungrier and start to take risks without a food supply’: Croc expert John Lever explains why the reptile has been seen several times off Yeppoon Beach.

Saltwater crocodile numbers have been steadily building so we can expect more sightings such as those at Yeppoon this week, according to crocodile expert John Lever.

A 3.5m to 4m crocodile was first sighted at Yeppoon Main Beach on Sunday night.

It was seen again on Monday, prompting the Department of Environment and Science to put up warning signs.

The department said its wildlife officers would continue to monitor the area and if the crocodile showed aggressive behaviour or continued to inhabit the Yeppoon Main Beach area, it would be targeted for removal.

Mr Lever, whose family has run Koorana Crocodile Farm for 40 years half an hour drive from Rockhampton or Yeppoon, said it was becoming more normal at this time of year for the reptiles to be seen on beaches and in freshwater creeks.

“These are generally young males and someone told us it was about 4m long which would indicate it was a male and that fits in with the behaviour,” he said.

“The alpha males during the breeding season tell the young guys to leave or die and they get bashed up and beaten up and get out of the alpha male’s territory.

“The big males in the Fitzroy River would do that and that would see crocodiles travelling north and they get to Corio Bay.

“They need to get a drink of fresh water, they can’t drink salt, so they come into all the tidal creeks looking for freshwater and go out again and then make their way back.

“Later on, when the (breeding) season’s over they travel back from Corio Bay to the Fitzroy River which is their home base.”

Mr Lever said that beachgoers at Yeppoon should be mindful of the crocodile’s presence.

“Just be aware, keep your eyes open,” he said.

“If he’s near the water’s edge don’t go anywhere near him; these guys when they’re travelling are pretty hungry because there’s no food around.

“Crocodiles can go a long time without food but they do get hungrier and start to take risks without a food supply.”

“When we came here 40 years ago and told people there were crocodiles in the Fitzroy River we got shot down in flames.

“Fishermen were ringing us up and telling us they were seeing them at night when they were out fishing.

“There’s been a steady build up of numbers of saltwater crocodiles so we can expect to see more of them.

“The numbers are increasing and they are more evident and they’ve become bolder as well so they will be seen more often around the place.”

The DES warned that as Yeppoon was within known “croc country”, it was important people practised “crocwise” behaviour if a crocodile was seen in their locality.

Crocwise behaviour includes:

• Stay at least 5m from the water’s edge - crocodiles often hunt their prey at the water’s edge.

Dispose of your food and fish scraps in a bin - don’t leave food, fish scraps or bait near the water, around your camp site or at a boat ramp. Crocodiles will be attracted by an easy meal, and this puts subsequent visitors to the area at risk.

Do not feed crocodiles - it is illegal, dangerous, and teaches crocodiles to associate humans with food.

Be extra cautious at night, dusk and dawn when crocodiles are most active.

Do not use kayaks, paddleboards and other small craft in crocodile habitat areas. The smaller the vessel, the greater the risk - crocodiles have taken people from small vessels.

Stay well away from crocodile traps. Crocodile traps are designed to attract hungry crocodiles so avoid fishing and boating near them and never interfere with them. People who deliberately interfere with the operation of crocodile traps face potential penalties of over $15,000.

Dogs are attractive prey to crocodiles. Keep your pets on a lead and away from the water’s edge.

Watch out for crocodiles in unusual places after very high tides and heavy rains. Crocodiles can move further upstream during very high tides and periods of flooding and may move into new areas where they have not been seen before.