Mystery croc death at Cairns City beach investigated

After the unusual discovery of a saltie carcass on the Cairns Esplanade, the Department of Environment and Science has completed its investigation into its death.

An unusual discovery of a dead saltie at a city beach had visitors to the Cairns Esplanade wondering what led to the animal’s demise last Wednesday.

On Monday, Department of Environment and Science investigators confirmed the cause of death for the snappy reptile was not from human intervention.

A DES spokeswoman said Cairns-based rangers had collected the carcass to externally examine the crocodile.

On Monday morning a DES spokeswoman confirmed the results of the investigation.

“DES wildlife officers externally examined the crocodile to identify any potential causes of death by human intervention,” she said.

“No human intervention was identified, and the carcass has been disposed of by council.”

At 6.20pm on Wednesday, February 1, regular visitor to the area Chris Eustace, noticed a croc-like shape in the distance and originally didn’t believe the animal was actually the greatly-maligned coastal predator.

“I’m like what’s going on. It was pretty strange,” he said.

The saltwater croc discovered on the Cairns Esplanade on Wednesday, February 2. Picture: Chris Eustace

“I was running along and looked over and saw it and thought that can’t be, I have never seen a croc there before and got closer and thought s--t, it is.

“There were some drag marks just in front of it but it was hard to tell how it got there.”

Mr Eustace said there was no obvious cause of death and no blood visible on the animal.

It’s thought the croc could have drowned after being tangled in a fishing net or crab pot line but it’s not clear how the animal came to be washed up on the beach.

“The way its head was turned you could tell it’s not sleeping,” Mr Eustace said.

“I was taking the pics hoping its mother or father were not in the water behind watching me.”

This 2.5m saltwater crocodile was snapped scratching an itch at Cattana wetlands by photographer Jon Westaway earlier this year.

DES reminded members of the public to report all croc sightings, dead or alive, to DES immediately and to never touch deceased crocodiles.

The Cairns region is known croc country and people in the area are reminded to always be Crocwise.

Follow @petercarruther1

Originally published as Mystery croc death at Cairns City beach investigated