Kenrick Tucker spots crocodile in Lion Creek at Rockhampton

As a child, Kenrick Tucker enjoyed swimming in the creek right in his backyard, unfazed by tales of crocodiles lurking below the surface. Fifty years on, he has spotted one.

As a kid Kenrick Tucker used to enjoy days swimming in the creek right in his backyard, Lion Creek, with tales of crocodiles lurking below not deterring him.

Fifty years later, he spotted one in his childhood swimming hole for the first time.

Mr Tucker was standing on the bank of the creek at the back of his late father’s home when he saw something swimming in the water in February last year.

Upon closer inspection he discovered it was a crocodile.

More than a year after the sighting the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation has stated it is targeting a 2.5m crocodile from Lion Creek.

“I couldn’t believe it,” he said.

Kenrick Tucker with his late Dad Ken ‘Reggie’ Tucker.

“It was swimming along and I just watched it go straight up the creek… it was amazing.

“My father, when he was alive, said he was jealous because he’d never seen one and our neighbour said ‘finally someone else has seen it’.”

Mr Tucker said while he’d heard stories about the crocodile presence in Lion Creek and used to swim in the water as a kid, he wasn’t surprised they were there.

“It’s pretty deep and murky water, so it’s the perfect sort of place for them to be there,” he said.

“From what I’ve been told the crocs have been there for some time… there’s plenty of food in there for them, catfish and things like that.

“I certainly keep an eye out when I go down to the creek edge now and I don’t put my toes in the water anymore.”

Mr Tucker said on New Year’s Eve he also saw a crocodile in the river near the southside pool.

A crocodile seen in Lion Creek, Rockhampton.

The Lion Creek salty was reported to DESI on June 10, with officers conducting an on-water assessment the following day.

A DESI spokesman the crocodile was “extremely shy” and fled from wildlife officers during the site assessments.

“Wildlife officers set up remote cameras to monitor the area and received another sighting report on 14 June approximately one kilometre from the initial sighting location,” the spokesman said.

“On 14 June, wildlife officers confirmed the presence of the crocodile in the area.

“The crocodile was declared a problem crocodile as it was larger than two metres and was within a targeted management zone. The baited trap was set on 17 June.

“During winter, crocodile’s do not require as much food. Although the trap has been set, there are no guarantees that the animal will be tempted into the trap by the bait.

“Crocodiles can also be uneasy with the presence of a trap and move away from an area where a trap has been set. They can travel up to 40 kilometres a day and can move around undetected.”

Kenrick Tucker saw a crocodile when walking near the south side pool on December 31, 2023.

The DESI spokesman said the removal of the crocodile would not make the river safe or free of crocodiles and urged locals to be crocwise.

“Remember, you are responsible for your own safety in Croc Country. Rockhampton is known Croc Country and people must be Crocwise near the water,” the spokesman said.

“Rockhampton locals are advised to report all crocodile sightings as soon as possible to the department by using the QWildlife app or by calling 1300 130 372.

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

The sighting comes just over a week after there were renewed calls for the recreational area of the Fitzroy River to be reclassified as an active removal zone.