Crime Stoppers joins search for Crocodile ‘serial killer’ in Far North Queensland

It’s feared a crocodile killer is on the loose in Queensland, and it’s now hoped a major public resource and a huge cash reward could see them prosecuted.

Twist in search for croc ‘serial killer’

Warning: Graphic Content

Crime Stoppers has lent its might to a campaign to track down a crocodile “serial killer” in Far North Queensland.

Earlier this month, a $10,000 reward was dangled to anyone with information regarding the deaths of two gruesome crocodile killings less than 50km apart.

The first killing occurred in Cow Bay in April, where a 4.2-metre male crocodile was found beheaded.

Crocodile experts have since speculated human interference was likely, potentially with a machete or high-powered tool, as the wounds were inconsistent with an attack with a natural death.

The second killing of a “celebrity” croc named Lizzie happened on the banks of the Daintree River in May.

That slaying was followed up with an anonymous phone call from the killer to a local tour operator, claiming responsibility for the death.

An iconic 40 year old female crocodile's carcass has been found along the banks of the Daintree River after it was reported missing by a local tourism operator. Picture: Supplied.

Tour operator David White – owner of Solar Whisperer Wildlife Cruises – has watched Lizzie, known for her “royal wave”, for the 26 years he has been working on the Daintree River and told news.com.au of the discovery.

“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.”

He said the person claiming responsibility later reached out by phone and Facebook messenger, declaring “(the killer) was the apex predator, not the crocodile”.

Tom Chalmers Hayes, a crocodile photographer, was among the first to discover the dead animal at Cow Bay Beach in Far North Queensland. Picture: Tom Chalmers Hayes/ @crocodile_beers

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

Until now, the newly formed wildlife advocacy group Community Representation of Crocodiles (CROC) had been hunting for the killer, or killers, with a crowdfunded $10,000 reward.

But on Wednesday, Crime Stoppers Queensland joined the fight.

Amanda French from CROC told news.com.au the money and resources would be “very enticing” for anyone with information.

“This enables people to call through and be confident it will go through the right channels and processes,” she said.

Crocodile advocates Matt Cornish, Bob Irwin, Amanda French and Mick Bender recently formed Community Representation of Crocodiles (CROC). Picture: Supplied

“We don’t want to be involved in that investigation process. We want relevant information to go to the right people. Thankfully, now we’ve got the right channels in place.

“It’s really hard to generate support for a species like a crocodile, but there’s a protected species being killed, and members of the community are being threatened by the anonymous caller.”

Ms French said the tip-offs the group had been fielding so far suggested the crocodile killings were linked and that there is a rumoured video recording of the Cow Bay slaying.

“We’ve had a lot of tip-offs about the situation, and we’re pretty confident a video exists of the cow bay beheading of the cow bay crocodile,” she said.

“Based on the phone call, this person alluded to the fact that they have committed both of these killings.

“As the police have advised us, they have resources available to ascertain that footage or be able to track an anonymous call.”

A crocodile of more than four metres in length was found decapitated at Cow Bay beach, north of Daintree River, on April 14. Picture: Tommy Hayes

Crime Stoppers Queensland CEO David Hansen said the organisation was keen to get to work on the issue.

“This was no small feat for an organisation that is newly founded, and we respect their passion for helping protect Queensland’s diverse wildlife, which is clearly the driving force behind their efforts,” he said.

“We’re all hopeful this reward will encourage individuals that may know something about these matters to share it anonymously with Crime Stoppers.”

The $10,000 will be the reward for information that leads to the prosecution of the individual, or individuals, responsible.

news.com.au understands this push for information marks the first environmental cause Crime Stoppers has thrown its resources behind.

It is an offence in Queensland to deliberately harm or kill crocodiles or be in possession of a deceased crocodile or parts of a dead crocodile.

Anyone with information about these deaths can report information anonymously to Crime Stoppers online or on 1800 333 000.

– With Jasmine Kazlauskas