Authorities hunt fishos behind illegal feeding of man-eating croc
The state environment authority is working with police to identify fishermen who fed a man-eating croc, an action according to a Far North MP, which directly led to an attack that killed an interstate tourist.
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Fishermen who were allegedly feeding a 4.9m croc in a Cooktown river before it attacked and killed a Newcastle doctor are in authorities’ sights.
The state environment authority is working with police to identify fishermen who fed the animal, an action which a Far North MP says directly led to the tragedy..
On August 3 Dave Hogbin was enjoying a bucket list trip to the Cape with his wife and three children when he fell down a vertical bank into the Annan River.
Likely attracted to the area by discarded fish fames, the monster crocodile snatched the New South Wales doctor and he was never seen alive again.
The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation in collaboration with Queensland Police Service has begun reviewing video showing the dumping of fish parts just two weeks before the fatal attack.
The feeding of the crocs from private property at Crocodile Bend has reportedly been happening for decades, however authorities have appear to have turned a blind eye to breaches of the Nature Conservation Act.
Information on the exact number of infringements issued for illegal feeding of crocodiles was not forthcoming from the Environment Department but it’s understood a handful of fines have been issued since the law was enacted in 1992.
The only croc farmer elected to the federal parliament, Warren Entsch, has come down hard on fishos feeding river predators, who he says are directly responsible for the death of Dr Hogbin.
“It’s just sheer stupidity and irresponsible,” he said.
“I think the full force of the law should be on those that fed the crocs and I hope they sleep at night knowing they are responsible for the death of that man and the croc itself.
“The animals were there because humans were feeding them, and those who think it was cool to throw food into the river must be held accountable.
“As a penalty those identified as feeding it should contribute to the cost of signage and cost of barriers highlighting the tragedy of the incident and the feeding that caused it.”
The croc believed to be responsible for the fatal attack on Dr Hogbin was shot by wildlife officers on Monday and human remains were later discovered in the stomach of the animal.
A formal identification process is under way but police believe the remains are that of Dr Hogbin.
Cooktown Mayor Robyn Holmes said enforcement by council of state laws on private land given a sprawling shire covering 100,000sq/km was not reasonable and was the responsibility of the state.
“We don’t have the resources to manage the Cook shire,” she said.
“I would not really like to point the finger (at people feeding the croc) given what happened, we have to put it down to a tragic accident.”
In an exclusive update the state’s environment authority stated staff were “concerned” by claims made on social media that crocodiles in the Cooktown area are regularly being fed fish frames and roadkill.
“It is frustrating to hear of people taking unnecessary, life-threatening risks in known crocodile habitat by unlawfully feeding, approaching or interacting with estuarine crocodiles,” a spokesman said.
“The deliberate or inadvertent feeding of crocodiles at these places and other vantage points attracts crocodiles and encourages them to hang around, waiting for their next meal.
“This can place future visitors to those areas at a much greater risk of attack if they approach or enter the water.”
The third fatal Queensland croc attack in the past 16 months has prompted an investigation by the Environment Department into potential changes to regulations aimed at further deterring people from activities that increase the risk of crocodile attack.
Laura publican and keen fisho Kevin Darmody, known as Stumpy, was killed at the Kennedy River in the Rinyirru National Park on April 29, 2023.
Twelve months later Edward ‘Baidham’ Morrison lost his life at Saibai Island on April 18.
It’s illegal to feed crocodiles in Queensland, the current penalty for deliberately feeding a crocodile is $6,452.
Anyone with information about the deliberate feeding of crocodiles is encouraged to call 1300 130 372 and report the information.
Reports can be made anonymously.
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