Call for influencer to be ‘poster child’ for tough new croc laws
A Far North Qld landowner says it’s only a matter of time before someone is eaten as droves of people, including an Insta influencer, trespass on his land to feed, harass and have picnics near an iconic crocodile. Have your say and vote in our poll.
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A Far North Queensland landowner says it’s only a matter of time before someone is killed as droves of people, including an Instagram influencer, trespass on his land to illegally feed, harass and have picnics near an iconic crocodile.
Clyde has been a frequent visitor to a stretch of the Russell River near to the 5m croc’s namesake, the Clyde Road bridge, for 30 years
From the bridge, 2km northeast of Babinda, visitors can legally see and take photos of the predator which is often on the sandbank on the eastern side of the river.
But that’s not enough for increasing numbers of visitors to the area according to landowner Jared Steley.
“I’ve had to move people that were down there setting up for a picnic, I just want to keep them out,” he said.
“It’s absolutely a nuisance and not to mention they should not be going anywhere near him or feeding him.
“I have no issues with people coming and looking but they get too close and it’s only a matter of time before someone gets eaten.”
Mr Steley has tried to block access into the cane field but the no trespassing signs have been removed.
For the past 12 months photos have been regularly posted on social media of people flouting
Queensland laws to come dangerously close to Clyde the croc.
In July last year three girls were snapped meters away from the reptile.
The following month a ‘d**khead’ was caught on video fishing metres from the huge beast and in September an alarming photo of a man standing only metres away from the croc triggered outrage from locals.
But after Instagram influencer and Onlyfans content creator Jaylie Bonow (aka Jaylie Tori) last week posted videos bragging about feeding Clyde a roast chook, visitor numbers to the East Russell area have skyrocketed.
Friend of Mr Steley, Blaze Mason, says Ms Bonow should be fined in line with tough new croc laws introduced in the wake of a fatal croc attack near Cooktown in August.
“We really think he is such an asset for people to look at but you have to have some respect,” she said.
“The thing that annoys us the most is the new laws have come in but no one is game enough to make a stance.
“She knew what she was doing, she went and bought the chook and there’s no remorse (fining her) will make sure it does not happen again.
“The message is just not getting through, people just keep doing dumb sh*t.”
The influencer claims she was not aware crocs shouldn’t be fed.
The on-the-spot fine for deliberately disturbing or feeding crocodiles increased from $483 to $2580 under a major crackdown introduced in September.
It is also now an offence to be within 10m of a crocodile basking on a sandbar or riverbank.
The new offence carries an on-the-spot fine of $806 and a maximum court-imposed fine of $16,130.
Ms Mason said for two years trespassing and croc harassment incidents had been reported to Queensland Parks and Wildlife.
“Hollow threats of fines aren’t having an impact,” she said.
“It’s a daily occurrence that we have to kick people off, it’s trespassing and the (department) said there is nothing they can do even though there are so many pics of people doing the wrong thing.
“It’s just not a high priority.
“There were people on the weekend washing plates and cutlery on the boat ramp, it’s just ridiculous.”
Amanda French from conservation group Community Representation of Crocodiles (CROC) said with Clyde now being such a high-profile reptile there needs to be better signage alerting visitors to new fines, fencing to restrict river bank access and CCTV installed.
“Following the fatality in Cooktown we really need people to understand the severity of this. It’s not to be taken lightly and it’s serious for people and for the crocs,” she said.
But Ms French said she was encouraged to hear police were involved in the investigation into the allegations regarding the influencer.
“To see a multi-agency approach shows they really are trying to stamp this out,” she said.
“With 78,000 followers you really do need to be responsible about what you post and she may pay the price for what she has done.”
The Department of Environment asked Mr Steley to provide photo proof of illegal activity to justify the installation of CCTV at the site which was provided however the landowner claimed nothing had been done.
The department declined to make any statement about the East Russell incident other than to state the investigation is ongoing.
The Queensland Police Service confirmed their involvement in an investigation into the alleged feeding of Clyde the croc.
“Investigations are continuing, anyone with information is urged to contact police,” a spokeswoman said.
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Originally published as Call for influencer to be ‘poster child’ for tough new croc laws
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