Small saltie spotted near children’s playground at Centenary Lakes

Stunning pictures have revealed the presence of a saltwater crocodile at a Cairns North lake while concerns about its proximity to a children’s playground have been raised.

Wildlife photographer Scott Ritchie captured images of a small crocodile at Centenary Lakes on Thursday, April 2. Picture Scott Ritchie

Stunning pictures have revealed the presence of a saltwater crocodile at a Cairns North lake while concerns about its proximity to a children’s playground have been raised.

Numerous reports have been made to the Department of Environment flagging the estuarine croc estimated to be about 2m in length.

Two estuarine sighting were made on March 25 at the freshwater section of Centenary Lakes off Greenslopes St and another report was made on Tuesday.

The crocodile was spotted meters from the children’s Centenary Lakes Nature Play Space.

Wildlife photographer Scott Ritchie spotted the animal lying on a bed of water lilies during a Tuesday morning birdwatching tour of the Cairns Botanic Gardens.

Perfectly camouflaged in a bed of water lilies. Picture Scott Ritchie

He said he ran into a woman with two small children by the water’s edge and showed her images on his camera.

“I pointed over to a patch of lily pads and said there’s a crocodile right there and she goes ‘Really, no one told me about it, kids let’s go’, ” he said.

She told the children to pack up and immediately left the area, according to Mr Ritchie.

Mr Ritchie believed the removal of the croc was appropriate.

“I’m in favour of trapping them and moving them on, there are little kids in that area and all types of bird life,” he said.

“Catch him and put him where he will be more happy and the birds and the public will be happy too.”

It’s not the first time crocodiles have made their way 2.7kms from the ocean up Lily Creek to Freshwater Lake.

In June last year rangers from Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation successfully captured a 2m crocodile and removed it from the waterway after nearby residents raised safety concerns.

The Department of Environment has been informed about the crocodile. Picture Scott Ritchie

Under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan, the area falls within an Active Removal Zone. This means that any crocodile confirmed to be present is automatically targeted for removal.

The Department of Environment stated steps have been taken to confirm reports and have the animal removed.

Reports have been referred to Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation for further investigation.

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Originally published as Small saltie spotted near children’s playground at Centenary Lakes