$10,000 bounty after shock decapitations

The deaths of crocodiles — including an iconic “celebrity” — has led a Queensland community to “taking matters into their own hands”.

Warning: Graphic content

Crocodile conservationists have crowdfunded tens of thousands of dollars to offer as a reward for information on the death of an iconic celebrity crocodile in Far North Queensland.

The saltwater croc affectionately known as Lizzie was tragically found dead on the banks of the Daintree River in late May.

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 death comes amid spate of crocodile deaths in the region.

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

A spokesman for the Queensland Department of Environment and Science told news.com.au the “investigation remains ongoing, and we have no further update available at this time”.

But co-founder of the Community Representation of Crocodiles group Matt Cornish said the community was frustrated by the lack of progress and was taking matters into their own hands by raising $10,000 to encourage people to come forward.

“Lizzie’s death sent shockwaves throughout the community and now the time has come to step up,” he told news.com.au.

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

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

Mr Cornish said information has come to local tour operators that Lizzie was “not only killed but also filetted”.

“I would call this person a coward … spineless … and if true the community expects him before the courts”.

He said he had the “strong belief” that the department has failed in its capacity to investigate the matter to his fullest. The claim was categorically rejected by the department.

Community devastated

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 was 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.

“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.

Lizzie the saltwater crocodile was spotted eating a file snake and washing it down with a drink in this still from a video. Picture: Solar Whisper Daintree River Crocodile and Wildlife Cruises/Facebook

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

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,” Mr White 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.

Mr White recalled 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,” he 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.

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

-with Jasmine Kazlauskas