Cow Bay headless crocodile baffles investigators as beast’s remains are buried

Mystery surrounds the lead up to the discovery of a headless saltwater crocodile on a remote Far North Queensland beach, with baffled investigators seeking answers as the beast’s body is buried.

Mystery surrounds the circumstances leading up to the discovery of a headless saltwater crocodile on a remote Far North Queensland beach, with baffled investigators seeking answers as the beast’s body is buried.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife officers examined the dead crocodile found near Cow Bay at the Daintree last Friday, but were unable to determine how the animal died.

The crocodile had its head hacked off and was too decomposed to conduct a necropsy.

It was later buried.

The dead beast was discovered by a Cow Bay resident while walking her dog on Friday morning.

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said she walked her dogs two or three times a day and had spotted the crocodile on numerous ocassions in the lead up to its death.

A large crocodile was found beheaded at Cow Bay by a local woman on April 13. Picture: Dragon Dreaming Retreats

“I was horrified, maybe someone wanted to get rid of it, maybe it’s a trophy-hunting hero act,” she said.

The Department of Environement and science confirmed it had received two reports about the animal from members of the public on April 12 and 13.

The department has appealed for information from the public relating to the animal’s death and the whereabouts of its skull.

It is illegal to deliberately harm or kill crocodiles or be in possession of a dead crocodile or its body parts.

Crocodiles in Queensland are a vulnerable species and are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

The maximum penalty for deliberately harming or killing a crocodile is $14,375.

Anyone with information about the crocodile’s death can call 1300 130 372 anonymously.

Originally published as Cow Bay headless crocodile baffles investigators as beast’s remains are buried