Viral picture of crocodile in Queensland floods is fake: Qld Parks

A viral photo appearing to show a massive crocodile lurking in floodwaters on the Gold Coast sparked panic as residents warned each other to stay dry.

A viral photo claiming to show a monster crocodile lurking in floodwaters on the Gold Coast today after escaping a wildlife park has been debunked by authorities.

The picture, which was widely circulated in local community Facebook pages, claimed the croc had escaped from David Fleay Wildlife Park in Burleigh Heads.

“Be careful because it’s made its way to Tallebudgera. Be croc-wise in these floods,” a caption across the image read.

Queensland Parks was quick to set the record straight after being “inundated” with phone calls from concerned locals.

“We can confirm this is completely untrue – our freshwater crocs are both safe and accounted for, and are NOT on the loose in Burleigh/Tallebudgera flood waters,” the government body wrote.

Queensland Parks said it believed the picture had either been digitally altered or was of a toy crocodile.

Queensland Parks has come out to refute a viral picture that purported to show a crocodile in the floodwaters in the Gold Coast. Picture: Facebook

“All crocodiles are accounted for,” Queensland Parks added, sharing a video of the wildlife park’s freshwater crocodiles Smiley and Queen at Australia Zoo - where they are staying while their enclosure is being upgraded.

A Department of Environment and Science spokesman also shut down reports of a crocodile “on the loose”.

“You can tell (it’s a fake) because the croc has most of its tail missing,” he told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

A croc shoe floating down Gold Coast floodwaters. Picture: Mason Anderson / Facebook

Although plenty of locals correctly assumed the picture was fake, hundreds of people were seen tagging their Gold Coast mates on social media to warn them after the image was picked up by Brown Cardigan.

“Be glad you’re not at your beach apartment right now,” wrote one woman.

“It could be anywhere right now,” added another.

One Gold Coast gym operator told news.com.au they had heard from one of their patrons that a crocodile had been spotted in the floodwaters.

The southeast of Queensland and the northeast of NSW are experiencing record-breaking floods. The death toll currently stands at eight. The Queensland government estimates that 15,000 homes in Brisbane have been flooded. The Wilsons River that passes through Lismore rose to 14.37 metres, exceeding the previous record by more than two metres.