Famous crocodile believed to have been ‘murdered’ in barbaric attack

Locals have been left reeling after a 40-year-old tourist icon was believed to be savagely beheaded by a “sick croc serial killer”.

The beloved croc's death has left the community reeling. Picture: Supplied

Warning: Graphic content

Sickening details have emerged after the shock death of a beloved tourist icon.

A saltwater crocodile affectionately known as Lizzie was tragically found dead on the banks of the Daintree River in Far North Queensland late last month.

The reptile was believed to be at least 40 years old and had made a name for herself as a friendly tourist icon, posing for “thousands” of pictures over the decades.

Her name was even inspired by the “little wave” she would give to passing boats, similar to the late monarch Queen Elizabeth II.

Lizzie the crocodile (pictured) was named after the Queen. Picture: Supplied

But locals were horrified after the celebrity croc’s partial remains were discovered on May 18, with the Department of Environment and science (DES) stating that they feared the animal had been “targeted and deliberately killed”.

Tour operator David White – owner of Solar Whisperer Wildlife Cruises – has been watching Lizzie for the 26 years that he has been working on the Daintree River and has built an affection for her during that time.

He has been left devastated by the loss, and was shaken by the brutal nature of her death.

“I named her Lizzie many years ago, because she had this habit of waving at you like the Queen” he told News.com.au.

Mr White had been observing Lizzie for 26 years. Picture: Supplied

“It looked like a royal wave, and the name stuck. We have names for all the crocodiles in the area and the royal theme has continued.

“She was a lovely and easygoing crocodile, very used to the boats. She started having babies over 20 years ago, so we’re not sure exactly how old she was.

“We think maybe around 40, but she could have had another 60 years or so ahead of her. They can live to be over 100.

“It is really devastating to lose her. It has caused me real grief, and has been very difficult for me.

“It is like losing a member of the family. She was very beloved.”

Beheaded and ‘filleted’

David recalls the gruesome scene of finding Lizzie’s mutilated corpse on the banks of the river.

He said he did not want to believe that it could be Lizzie, but at the time she had been missing for a week.

Sadly, markings on the crocodile’s head confirmed the worst.

“Unfortunately we found some remains of a crocodile on the bank,” David continued.

“It was just a head and a spine, like a filleted fish. It was really sad.

“At first I didn’t want to think it was her, but she had been missing for about seven days. The head was in really good condition.

The crocodile was found beheaded on the banks of the river. Picture: Supplied

“Their markings are unique to each crocodile, and from this we discovered it was poor Lizzie.

“I thought maybe she had been chewed by another crocodile, but we soon realised it was caused by a human.

“When they die they float around in the river for quite a while. We didn’t see her before this grotesque sight on the bank.

“We were suspicious that it has been done by a human.”

“Fed her to the dogs”

David’s fears were confirmed after claims an anonymous man called him up to taunt him about his evil actions.

The man also allegedly took responsibility for another sickening crocodile death a few months earlier.

Mr White said the croc had been 'filleted' like a fish. Picture: Supplied

“This guy rang up anonymously, and also left a message on Facebook,” he said.

“He told me he did it, and that he was the apex predator not the crocodile. He seemed to want to be at the top of the food chain because he had a gun.

“He said he killed her and fed her meat to the dogs. Then the man admitted to killing another crocodile a few months earlier, who had been found without its head.

“It was a very spiteful killing and hateful crime. It was for fun, he was a hateful person.”

Misunderstood creatures

David said that crocodiles are very misunderstood creatures in our society and pleaded for people to not give in to the irrational fears that can often arise.

“Crocodiles are really not the killing machines people think they are,” he explained.

“They are potentially dangerous to humans who do not follow the ‘Croc Wise’ rules.

“If you look at the statistics, more people die a year from dogs, but nobody is getting hysterical about that.

Markings helped Mr White confirm it was Lizzie. Picture: Supplied

“But because crocodiles have big teeth and can eat people, they are demonised and vilified unfairly in society.

“People get scared, and that fear can turn to hate, which has the potential to turn into violence. Sadly, this is what has happened here.

“They are such awesome creatures, they are living dinosaurs. We should be so proud to have them here.

“If you leave them alone, they will leave you alone.”

Daintree River wildlife expert David White has been doing the cruises for 26 years. Picture: Mark Murray

Fear of more killings

David added that this entire situation has left him traumatised and extremely concentred for the future of the crocodiles in the area.

“It worries me now whenever I can’t find one of the crocodiles,” he said.

“I wonder if they’ve been murdered too. It’s nerve-racking.

“I hope the authorities find him and make an example of him. This degree of animal cruelty is frightening.

“You don’t want these type of people in our society. Who knows what they can do next.”

Crocodiles in Queensland are a vulnerable species and are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

The maximum penalty for the deliberate harm or killing of crocodiles in the state is a fine of $32,243.

News.com.au has reached out to the Department of Environment and science for comment.