Foul play suspected after Centenary Lakes dead crocodile sighting

The bloated corpse of a saltwater crocodile has been spotted near a popular children’s playground in Cairns, with the public suspecting foul play. WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT

A dead crocodile was spotted by birdwatchers at Centenary Lakes, Edge Hill on Sunday. Photo: Supplied.

The bloated corpse of a saltwater crocodile has been spotted near a popular children’s playground in Cairns, with the public suspecting foul play.

The saltwater crocodile, which was reportedly sighted at Centenary Lakes in Edge Hill last week, was found to be floating, belly up on Sunday afternoon.

Birdwatcher Denis Walls came across the crocodile with his birding group last week.

“On Sunday we were out and noticed the crocodile, we hadn’t seen it for a couple days and thought it was removed,” Mr Walls said.

Wildlife photographer Scott Ritchie captured images of a small crocodile at Centenary Lakes on Thursday, April 2. Picture Scott Ritchie

“Then we saw it bloated upside down. We can only assume it’s the same crocodile.”
Earlier, numerous reports were made to the Department of Environment flagging the estuarine croc estimated to be about 2m in length.

Two estuarine sighting were made on March 25 at the freshwater section of Centenary Lakes off Greenslopes St and another report was made on Tuesday.

The crocodile was spotted meters from the children’s Centenary Lakes Nature Play Space.

A Department of Environment and Science spokeswoman confirmed the sighting had been reported.

A dead crocodile was spotted by birdwatchers at Centenary Lakes, Edge Hill on Sunday. Photo: Supplied.

“It was reported to us as a saltwater crocodile sighting,” the spokeswoman said.

However the department was unable to confirm if a trap had been laid to remove the crocodile from the water.

Mr Walls said he believed the animal might have met with foul play.

“People knew of the presence of the crocodile, and we weren’t aware (Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services) had taken action, then a few days after seeing alive, it turns up dead,” he said.

“By the look of things, it would have to have been foul play that brought about it’s death as it’s unlikely that it would have died naturally in the lake.

“QPWS would have removed the croc if they had caught it.”

Originally published as Foul play suspected after Centenary Lakes dead crocodile sighting