Crocodile signs erected at Cairns off-leash park after dog ‘injured while swimming’

Signs were seen after a dog was injured swimming in a flooded drain, prompting fears monster reptiles could be near the off-leash park.

Crocodile warning signs have been erected beside the Irene St dog park in Mooroobool after tracks were reportedly spotted in the creek. Picture: Michael Delaney

Dog owners in suburban Cairns have been confronted with a terrifying sign at a local off-leash park.

Crocodile warning signs were erected in the Irene Street dog park in Mooroobool, after an animal was injured while swimming in a flooded drain on Saturday.

Despite the dog-owner not actually reporting a crocodile sighting to the Department of Environment and Science, signs warning of the monster reptiles potentially being in the area were erected as a precaution.

In a statement, DES said wildlife officers had carried out a site inspection, but did not find “any evidence of a crocodile being present.”

“Dogs should be on a lead in a known crocodile habitat,” the spokesperson said.

The frightening development comes a week after a three-metre crocodile was spotted in the Tinaroo Falls Dam on the Atherton Tablelands - about a 90 minute drive south.

“Wildlife officers carried out a site assessment but did not observe any crocodiles,” a DES spokesperson said.

“The Tinaroo Falls Dam contains a healthy population of freshwater crocodiles but DES has never found any evidence of saltwater crocodiles being present in the dam.”

The spokesperson said it was a timely reminder that members of the public were responsible for their own safety in croc country.

“Dogs should be on a lead in known crocodile habitat,” the spokesperson said.