Crocodile search continues in Bundaberg after reported sighting far from Croc Country
A crocodile sighting wouldn’t be such a shock further north, but this is far from a usual habitat for the animals.
A rare crocodile sighting has been reported in Bundaberg, Queensland but after a four-day investigation, authorities are yet to find the croc.
It has been 10 years since the last saltwater crocodile was confirmed outside of Croc Country, but there have been other unconfirmed sightings over the years.
A member of the public reported seeing a crocodile about three metres in length on the banks of the Burnett River on Friday, near the McGills Road boat ramp.
The person said they spotted the reptile from about ten metres away as it moved out from under a tree, turned to face them, and lifted its tail out of the water before submerging.
Bundaberg, known for Bundaberg Rum, is promoted to tourists as the gateway to the Southern Great Barrier Reef with the stunning Lady Elliot Island and Lady Musgrave Island off the coast.
A croc sighting wouldn’t be such a shock further north, but Bundaberg is far from a usual habitat for the animals.
“Crocodiles in Rockhampton’s Fitzroy River are considered to be the southernmost breeding population of crocodiles in the world,” senior wildlife officer Joshua Morris said in a statement.
“Regions south of Rockhampton are believed to be too cold in winter to support populations of crocodiles.”
Occasionally, vagrant crocodiles are found outside typical areas of crocodile habitat like in 2013 and 2014, when two large crocodiles were removed from Queensland’s Mary River.
They were the last saltwater crocodiles confirmed outside the southern end of Croc Country, Mr Morris said.
In January last year, a possible crocodile sighting report on Stradbroke Island was believed to actually be a dugong.
After a four-day investigation covering about 14 kilometres, wildlife officers are yet to find a crocodile in the Bundaberg area but will continue searching.
“We were looking for the telltale signs of crocodiles, such as the red eye shine at night, claw marks and slide marks in mud and flattened patches of grass on the banks,” Mr Morris said on Wednesday.
“The investigation will continue into this week, which again will include site inspections of the river during the day and at night.”
If there are no further sightings, warning signs at McGills Street boat ramp will stay up until Friday.
Mr Morris had earlier urged people in the region to be vigilant around the water.
“That means keeping your children close and keeping your pets on a lead and away from the water’s edge,” he said.
If a crocodile is found, it will be “targeted for removal” regardless of size or behaviour because the location is Zone F (atypical habitat zone) under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan.
Every crocodile sighting report the Queensland Environment Department receives is investigated.
People in the Bundaberg region are urged to report any potential sightings using the QWildlife app, on the DETSI website, or by calling 1300 130 372.
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