Cairns man fined after baby croc found in his home

A Cairns man has been fined for keeping a saltwater crocodile in his fish tank, authorities have confirmed. See the pictures.

A man in his 20s has been fined $2,419 for keeping a juvenile saltwater crocodile in a tank at his Manoora home, authorities have confirmed. Photo: Supplied.

A man has been fined for keeping a saltwater crocodile in his fish tank, authorities have confirmed.

After receiving information from a concerned member of the public, police and DETSI’s Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service searched a home in Manoora on May 16, 2025.

A man in his 20s was fined, and a juvenile saltwater crocodile was seized from the property.

Senior Conservation Officer Daniel Guymer said it was unlawful to keep estuarine and freshwater crocodiles in Queensland without a permit, and the animal was confiscated by QPWS officers.

The croc is a few months old, authorities believe. Photo: Supplied.

“We believe the crocodile was captured as a hatchling and is now several months old,” Mr Guymer said.

“We have examined the crocodile and although it appears healthy, it cannot be released back into the wild as it may have been exposed to disease.

“It is destined for a life at a farm or zoo, or at an educational facility.”

The hatchling crocodile was found in a fish tank, and the man was issued with a $2419 Penalty Infringement Notice for unlawfully keeping the crocodile.

The young crocodile was deemed to be healthy upon examination. Photo: Supplied.

“The man admitted that he had broken the law by taking the crocodile from the wild and although he was remorseful, we take a zero-tolerance approach to the unlawful possession of wildlife,” Mr Guymer said.

“The maximum court-ordered penalty for unlawfully keeping an estuarine crocodile is $36,292.”

Anyone with information about the deliberate taking, harming or killing of crocodiles, or the illegal trade of wildlife is urged to call 1300 130 372.

Originally published as Cairns man fined after baby croc found in his home