Investigation launched after crocodile killed on the Daintree River

Police are hunting a man after a crocodile was found slaughtered at a popular tourist destination.

Police are investigating after a crocodile carcass was discovered in Far North Queensland.

There are fears the 40-year-old female was targeted and deliberately killed.

The partial remains of a salt water crocodile were found beside a tourist operator vessel moored on the bank of the Daintree River on May 18.

Police are hunting a man after a crocodile’s dead body was discovered at a popular tourist destination. (Photo by Roslan Rahman / AFP)

Crocodiles are dangerous animals but are protected under Queensland law. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

The tour operator told police he had received an anonymous call from a man claiming he had killed the animal.

Queensland’s Department of Environment and Science (DES) said the anonymous caller had also claimed to have “killed a decapitated crocodile found on the beach at Cow Bay in April.

The Daintree River crocodile is estimated to be a 40-year-old female that was last seen alive on a week before the tourism operator found its body.

DES says in Queensland it is illegal to deliberately harm or kill crocodiles or to be in possession of a deceased crocodile or parts of one.

The maximum penalty for the deliberate harm or killing of crocodiles in Queensland is $32,243.

Only one crocodile attack has been recorded in Queensland this year, with a non-fatal attack being recorded on the Cape York Peninsula in February.