Tourists spark outrage after getting close and personal with saltie

A photo of three tourists standing close to a crocodile in Babinda has sparked outrage online with calls from environmental authorities to be croc wise around water in FNQ.

Three young women, believed to be to be tourists, spotted getting close and personal with a 4-metre saltwater crocodile, known by Babinda residents as 'Clyde'.

A photo of three tourists standing close to a crocodile in Babinda has sparked outrage online with calls from environmental authorities to be croc wise around water in the Far North.

A photo shared online on Sunday showed a group of three young women standing on the bank of the Russell River (near Babinda), just metres from a crocodile.

The four metre croc, known by Babinda residents as Clyde, has been known to frequent the Russell River with locals often sharing photos of his whereabouts.

Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, a popular Far North wildlife centre (north of Cairns), slammed the trio in a Facebook post.
“If these guys think this croc can’t turn around in an instant and defend his territory, they are delusional,” the comment read.

The Department of Environment and Science has issued a statement to remind anyone visiting “croc country” to make sensible choices when near the water.

“Our message to everyone visiting croc county is to make sensible choices when near the water and to always practise CrocWise behaviour,” a DES spokeswoman said.

The warning follows a spate of crocodile attacks across the Far North earlier this year, including a man who was attacked and his dog eaten by a croc while on the banks of the Bloomfield River and another man attacked while snorkelling along the Cape York coastline.

CrocWise behaviour included staying at least 5m from the water’s edge as crocodile’s often hunt their prey there.

People are encouraged to dispose of food and fish scraps in a bin or take them home as crocodiles are attracted by an “easy meal”, and any scraps left in areas crocs are known to inhabit can put future visitors at risk.

Keeping pets on a lead away from the waters edge is also encouraged as animals, particularly dogs, have been known as attractive prey to crocodiles.

People should also stay away from crocodile traps as they are designed to attract the reptiles. Those who deliberately interfere with the operation of crocodile traps face potential penalties of more than $15,000.

Originally published as Tourists spark outrage after getting close and personal with saltie