Deeral property searched in hunt for 69-year-old crocodile killer

A 69-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with allegedly killing a three-metre crocodile in far north Queensland.

The remains of a three metre crocodile allegedly killed by a 69-year-old Deeral man.

A 69-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with taking a protected animal after an investigation into the alleged killing of a three-metre crocodile at Deeral, south of Cairns.

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers discovered the deceased estuarine crocodile in Sorenson Creek on 18 January 2018.

The reptile was found attached to a trap, prompting staff from Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol to set-up surveillance of the area, at the request of Department of Environment and Science (DES) wildlife officers.

The remains of a three metre crocodile allegedly killed by a 69-year-old Deeral man.

Vision from the area captures a 69-year-old man attending the creek and removing the crocodile carcass from the trap at 12.30pm the same day.

Detectives executed a search warrant at a Deeral property yesterday where they uncovered the crocodile carcass.

Police have charged a 69-year-old man after he allegedly killed a 3-metre crocodile in North Queensland last week. https://t.co/fiXkrLyk0K pic.twitter.com/OToT1hKHI1

— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) January 25, 2018

The man will appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on February 7.

DES wildlife management Director Lindsay Delzoppo said it was an offence to take a crocodile in Queensland without authority.

“In Queensland, estuarine crocodiles are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and the maximum penalty for the unlawful killing of a crocodile is $28,383.75,” Mr Delzoppo said.

Report suspected incidents of wildlife-related crime by ringing 1300 130 372 or through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Deeral property searched in hunt for 69-year-old crocodile killer