Man pictured just metres from huge croc in Queensland

A picture of a man casually strolling along a riverbank has infuriated locals — but some have defended his daring act.

A picture of a man casually strolling past a huge croc lying in the sun in Far North Queensland is creating a stir online.

The man could be seen with his phone in hand walking across a riverbank just metres from the animal, while another man stood a little further away.

The photos at Russell River near Babinda, south of Cairns, were first uploaded on social media and later shared by Cairns Post, which reported locals were angry at the man for disturbing the croc, known as Clyde, and risking its removal.

“If this keeps happening it’s only a matter of time (before) old Clyde will be targeted for removal,” one person said.

Another described the scene as “unbelievable human behaviour”.

A man has been pictured standing just metres from a huge croc in Far North Queensland.

The beloved croc is known by locals as Clyde.

But as the photos gained wider attention, Aussies from FNQ defended the man.

Some claimed he was at a safe distance in daylight so there was nothing to worry about.

“Nothing wrong with this … it’s when this guy is ankle deep fishing there and that croc is nowhere in sight is when the problems start,” one wrote.

“Who cares? People know crocodiles are predatory and potentially dangerous … if they want to risk it anyway then who actually gaf? It’s called ‘free will,’” another said.

“You want us to live with them. Then criticise us for just living with them.” added a third.

A fourth person quipped: “What’s with the concern? He is not.”

The Queensland Government’s Crocwise campaign warns people to stay at least five metres from the water’s edge as crocodiles often hunt their prey there.

Just weeks earlier, another man made headlines for fishing on the same bank only metres from Clyde.

This alarming scene at the same spot was shared just weeks earlier.

Speaking to Nine News at the time, Croc Country Australia owner Jesse Crampton said he had seen people feeding Clyde, which actually put not only the people but Clyde in danger.

“I’ve personally seen over the years people down there feeding him fish, and big carcasses like wallaby carcasses of the road, doing their own attack shows,” he said.

He added: “When crocodiles lose the fear of people and they get food, associated with humans, then they become dangerous animals.

“And if an animal is deemed an immediate threat then they (Department of Environment and Science) remove it to reduce the risk of someone getting killed.”

A spokesperson from the Department of Environment and Science said it was “frustrating to see people take unnecessary, life-threatening risks in known crocodile habitat”.