Horror at monster crocodile beheading at Cow Bay near Daintree

Authorities are investigating after a large crocodile was found beheaded on a Far North Queensland beach.

A Cow Bay resident was appalled to find a large crocodile beheaded on the beach at Cow Bay during her walk on April 14.

The woman, who did not want to be named, said she walked her dogs on the beach two or three times daily and she had seen the crocodile, believed to be more than 4m in length, in the water in recent weeks.

“It’s been cruising that area for six weeks,” she said.

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 is a trophy-hunting hero act.”

She said it was not unusual for her to spot crocodiles in the ocean while out walking.

A Department of Environment and Science (DES) spokesman said DES was investigating the death and decapitation.

Daintree crocodile advocate and owner of Solar Whisper River Tours, David White, said it was highly unlikely to have occurred naturally.

“I very much doubt this is natural thing, any natural predator would go for the legs and or tail,” Mr White said.

“The head is really well attached, their head is used as a weapon when they fight, it’s very strong.

“There’s no damage no bite marks anywhere else on its body,” he said.

“There’s many cases of crocs beheaded and as far as I know off they are always by humans,” Mr White said.

“It’s a psychological thing, a sign of dominance, it’s also a trophy and it’s a way of hiding the evidence as there’s no bullet.

“This croc has lived in the creek for a long time, I believe it was shot right where it was found and an easy shoot as it’s used to people and would be sunbaking,” he said.

“There have been people over there prior to this complaining to the DES to remove this animal from its home, they didn’t, as it will not make it safer, in fact whoever has done this has now made it more dangerous,” Mr White said.

“The next croc that comes, it will hide and people won’t know it’s there.”

He said he would bet money a human did the damage and it was deplorable.

“I don’t know old it is, all I know is it survived all the odds to get to be an adult and human self entitlement has killed it.”

The DES spokesman said DES received two reports from members of the public about the dead crocodile at Cow Bay, north of the Daintree River.

“At this stage, wildlife officers cannot determine the cause of death,” he said.

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

He said crocodiles in Queensland were a vulnerable species and were protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

“It is unlawful to deliberately harm or kill crocodiles or be in possession of a deceased crocodile or parts of a deceased crocodile,” the spokesman said.

He said the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service was appealing for public assistance about the cause of the crocodile’s death and the location of its skull.

The maximum penalty for the deliberate harm or killing of crocodiles in Queensland is $14375.

Anyone with information about the deliberate harm or killing of crocodiles, or the illegal trade of wildlife and their body parts is urged to call 1300 130 372.

Originally published as Horror at monster crocodile beheading at Cow Bay near Daintree