Problem status withdrawn for Fitzroy River crocodile targeted for removal
The ‘problem crocodile’ declaration for a 2.5m salty in the Fitzroy River has been withdrawn more than a month after the ‘shy’ croc was targeted for removal.
Rockhampton
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The “problem” declaration for a crocodile that was targeted for removal in November has been withdrawn by the Department of Environment and Science (DES) nearly two months after a floating trap was set.
The elusive 2.5m crocodile was targeted for removal by wildlife rangers after a number of reported sightings of the reptile in a “high traffic” area of the Fitzroy River.
The crocodile was reported to DES on November 13, 16 and 21, 2023, with the baited trap deployed on November 17 after officers confirmed the reptile’s presence.
The trap was set in the Glenmore section of the river between Limestone Creek and Picnic Point, which falls under Zone C of the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan.
In Zone C, any crocodiles more than 2m in size are automatically targeted for removal.
A DES spokesman said during a nocturnal survey on December 6 the “extremely shy” crocodile fled from wildlife officers and the floating trap was removed two days later due to concerns with Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
“During further nocturnal on water surveys on 11, 13 and 20 December 2023, wildlife officers did not observe the target animal, or any crocodile larger than 2m in the targeted area,” the spokesman said.
“Wildlife officers will continue to monitor for further reports and conduct further nocturnal on-water surveys in the area. People who use the Fitzroy River are urged to be Crocwise and make good choices around waterways in the Rockhampton region.
“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.
“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.”
The news comes after a spate of crocodile sightings across Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast in recent weeks.
On December 15, a large crocodile, estimated to be about 4.5m in length, was seen floating in the Fitzroy River near a construction site near the barrage.
Days later on December 18, a 2.5m crocodile was seen basking in shallow waters near the boat ramp at Coorooman Creek near Zilzie.
On January 5, a fisherman had a close call with a crocodile at the Coorooman Creek boat ramp after the reptile tried to snap up a bait bucket.
In May, a large 4.5m crocodile was targeted for removal before it was captured and removed in July.
The crocodile was believed to be the same reptile that forced the cancellation of a rowing regatta in May.
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