Saltwater crocodile spotted in Palm Creek, Ingham

A saltwater crocodile was spotted at a local swimming spot in Ingham thanks to rising floodwaters, and has been safely captured by experts. WATCH THE VIDEO.

Ingham residents woke up to a surprise this morning when a 2.8-metre saltwater crocodile was spotted in Palm Creek, but quick-moving experts managed to capture it without incident.

A team of wildlife officers from the Department of Environment and Science arrived from Townsville around 9:50am to capture it, led by highly experienced croc catcher Tony Frisby who managed to secure the crocodile with a noose looped over its top jaw in under five minutes.

Croc caught in Ingham

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After performing a few death rolls along the creek bank Mr Frisby was able to drag the crocodile ashore and pin it down.

Mr Frisby and a team of two wildlife officers and two QPS water police helped contain the croc and securely placed it into a holding cage.

The crocodile will be transported to a holding facility and placed into a farm.

A known swimming spot in recent years, the creek burst its banks on Sunday evening after Ingham received around 130mm of rain in a 24-hour period.

Shené Clemments, a resident of Ingham, was with her family as they tried to catch a glimpse of the unexpected visitor.

“We’ve lived here all our lives and haven’t seen a croc in the middle of town ever. It’s a bit of excitement for the town at the start of their Monday morning.

“Sometimes kids like to cruise around here and have a swim so they were having a little dip yesterday. Thank goodness he wasn’t here yesterday.”

Croc in Palm Creek in centre of Ingham. Christy-lee Dumbleton, Seth Clements, Sophia Casady-Smallwood and Matthew Ivey holding Corbin Ivey. Picture: Evan Morgan

Croc in Palm Creek in centre of Ingham. Picture: Evan Morgan

Croc in Palm Creek in centre of Ingham. Picture: Evan Morgan

Lindsay Delzoppo, Director of Northern Wildlife Operations for the Department of Environment and Science has confirmed a team of wildlife officers are on their way from Townsville, escorted by police.

 Among them is highly experience crocodile catcher, Tony Frisby, who has been dealing with crocodiles for over 40 years.

 “We will conduct an assessment and if possible use direct capture to capture the animal,” Mr Delzoppo said.

 Wildlife officers will decide whether to use a noose looped over the crocodiles top jaw, or place a harpoon hook under its skins to pull it out of the creek.

 “It’s not painful, they have very leathery skin,” he said.

 It’s not the first time wildlife officers have been called to reports of crocodiles turning up in unexpected places.

Originally published as Saltwater crocodile spotted in Palm Creek, Ingham