Tributes for Cassius’ collector and Green Island Marineland Melanesia founder George Craig
An iconic pioneer of Far North tourism who had a special four-decade bond with the world’s largest crocodile in captivity has died, aged 94.
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An iconic pioneer of Far North tourism who had a special four-decade bond with the world’s largest crocodile in captivity has died, aged 94.
In the 1950s, Peru-born George Craig learned the art of crocodile hunting at Darwin, and in the ’60s he and wife Shirley travelled up and down Papua New Guinea’s Fly River, hunting and collecting the reptiles while basing themselves in the village of Daru.
The couple eventually moved to Green Island and bought what was then the Marineland Zoological Gardens and renamed it Marineland Melanesia in 1971, bringing with them some of their crocs and a large collection of tribal art and artefacts.
Ms Craig died in May, 2022.
But it was in 1987, when arguably Mr Craig’s most prized reptile would join the island.
Cassius, a saltwater croc from Darwin aged about 120 years when he died earlier this month, exceeded 5m in length and quickly became a major drawcard to the island and the Far North.
Cassius took the title of the world’s largest crocodile in captivity after the 2013 death of Philippines crocodile Lolong, who measured 6.17m, according to Guinness.
The bond between Mr Craig and Cassius was reported to be that of “close friends” as the pair shared 40 years together.
As Mr Craig aged and moved into an assisted living facility, his family reported a correlation between the crocodile’s loneliness and his partner’s absence.
Grandson Sid Scott, who worked on the island for 15 years, said his grandfather would be remembered as “an Australian icon, and a huge personality,” but someone who didn’t “ever want the fame”.
“He was a genuine character, never ran out of stories and that’s something we’ll never forget – all his wild tales,” Mr Scott said.
“For us, he was just grandad, among the chaos of everything, it was just normal.”
He described his grandfather’s bond with Cassius as a “mutual respect between two ancient beasts”.
“They both had their battle scars, and they both had a sparkle in their eyes when they were together.”
In a public tribute, friend of Mr Craig, former crocodile hunter and federal MP for Leichhardt Warren Entsch, said it was “fitting that George and Cassius have now moved on only a matter of weeks apart from one another”.
“I first met George in the early 1980s, and from that moment, he became a great friend and teacher,” Mr Entsch said.
“His passion for wildlife, particularly crocodiles, was unmatched. Through his guidance, I learned how (to) catch and handle these incredible creatures.
“George’s connection to these animals went beyond care — it was a bond built on respect and understanding.”
Cairns MP Michael Healy said he was saddened by news of Mr Craig’s death, noting his work alongside his wife of the “establishment of an amazing product on Green Island and building peoples’ awareness and understanding of crocodiles among other native marine animals”.
Fellow Green Island operator, Quicksilver Group managing director Tony Baker said Mr Craig would be “fondly remembered.”
“George was a pioneer of our tourism industry and brought his adventures and stories to visitors to Green Island. I’m sure he will be remembered fondly by all and our sincere condolences to his family,” he said.
In a public post to his social media page on Monday, Mr Craig’s family shared the icon’s final moments.
“George James Craig born in Peru on the 10th of July 1930 left us peacefully on the evening of the 17 Nov 24 with his daughter Fiona at his side,” the post read.
“He set off on the top of tide under a full moon for one last adventure, fitting for one that have lived such an extraordinary life.
“We take comfort in knowing that his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him. Deservedly now resting peacefully.”
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Originally published as Tributes for Cassius’ collector and Green Island Marineland Melanesia founder George Craig
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