Outrage over ‘humane’ killing of Mary River croc

Hundreds of people have reacted to the decision to ‘humanely’ euthanise a crocodile found in the Mary River near Maryborough. HAVE YOUR SAY:

Hundreds of people have taken to social media to voice their opinion on the decision to euthanise a crocodile found in the Mary River at Maryborough in late June, 2025..

Hundreds of people have taken to social media to voice their opinion on the decision to euthanise a crocodile found in the Mary River at Maryborough in late June.

The decision was made after wet weather hampered rangers as they tried to catch and relocate the 3m crocodile spotted in the Mary River at Dundathu, in Maryborough, with the department confirming the croc had been euthanised for public safety.

Member of the public Brad Stockdale took to social media to voice his opinion.

“If it’s walking around Coles I could understand but it’s in a river,” Mr Stockdale said.

“I don’t see too many people hanging around (on the) mangroves.”

Petra Dohle said there had been croc sightings in the Mary River for as long as she could remember.

Norma Dammerel agreed, saying the Mary River was full of crocs.

“That little croc couldn't chew the froth off a cold schooner of beer,” Jordan Amos wrote.

Slide marks left by the Mary River crocodile spotted at Dundathu.

“No one is going to get bitten while typing on their phone while sitting in their favourite chair in their lounge room,” Russell Osborne said.

Others felt the protection of people had to come first.

“Cry about a croc getting culled,” Al Edmund Scarr wrote.

“What would be said if it ate a couple of people?”

Samone Anderson said animals must be culled where necessary.

“We do so with wild pigs, dogs, cats and kangaroos,” she wrote.

“We overfish oceans but leave the predators, and crocs seem to be growing in numbers.

“It’s possible to preserve crocodiles without making every waterway a croc-infested den.”

Attempts to catch the croc were unsuccessful due to the weather and stream-flow conditions, a department spokeswoman said.

“Under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan, the Wide Bay area including the Mary River is designated as an Atypical Habitat Zone,” she said.

“In Zone F, and in the interest of public safety, any crocodile confirmed to be present is targeted for removal.”

The crocodile was first spotted by council workers as they carried out routine water testing on the river on June 24, 2025.

“The department thanks the person for submitting the crocodile sighting report,” the spokesman said.

“Two vessel-based patrols were conducted on June 28,” he said.

“The animal was sighted but adverse conditions were not conducive to attempts to capture the animal.”

One of the council workers on the boat, Andrew Richardson, spoke about the encounter.

“When you see a big croc, you just want to have a look at it,” Mr Richardson said.

“I’ve seen the signs, but that’s the first croc I’ve seen.

“I thought he’d (his colleague) seen a dead body or something, the way he carried on.

“He was pretty excited about the whole ordeal.”

The crocodile was spotted by rangers the day after it was reported.

The Mary River is not considered typical crocodile habitat, and any animal confirmed to be present in the area will be targeted for removal.

Anyone who believes they have seen a crocodile in the Mary River should make a report as soon as possible.

This can be done using the QWildlife app, completing a crocodile sighting report on the DETSI website, or by calling 1300 130 372.

In 2013 and 2014, two large crocodiles were removed from the Mary River in Maryborough.

In the past few months, there have been a number of crocodile sightings in the Wide Bay, including at Coonarr Beach and Inskip Point.

There was an extensive search for the reptile reported at Inskip, but it was unsuccessful and it was believed the animal had returned further north.

It was believed to be the same crocodile spotted at Coonarr Beach.

Originally published as Outrage over ‘humane’ killing of Mary River croc