New warning about crocodiles in Barron near Kuranda

The state’s environmental regulator has put a crocodile warning sign at a swim spot near Kuranda following claims two salties were “accidentally” released last year at Big Sands.

Two crocs similar in size to the one pictured were reportedly released into the Barron River near Big Sands in 2024.

The state’s environmental regulator has put a crocodile warning sign at popular Barron River swim spot near Kuranda.

But despite claims two salties were “accidentally” released last year, rangers have been unable to verify their presence.

According to the QWildlife app, on February 23 there was a crocodile of unknown species reported at the Oak Forest Rd bridge at Kowrowa.

The Department of the Environment sent rangers to the site to find the croc and when the sign was removed on March 5 wildlife officers conducted another inspection.

“But no crocodiles were sighted and we have not had any further reports, it is believed that the sighting was of a freshwater crocodile,” a spokesman said.

The Department of Environment last week erected a croc warning sign at the Oak Forest swimming hole near Kuranda. Picture: Supplied

While there has long been speculation crocs have been released in the Barron River above the falls, multiple surveys in recent years upstream have failed to reveal any evidence of estuarine crocodiles, the department says.

Last year a report was made to the department claiming two small male and female crocodiles had been released at the Big Sands swimming area in Myola.

It’s claimed the estuarine crocodiles were about 1m long and were released on an unknown date in March, 2024, but the department has not been able to confirm the report.

Xian Abbott grew up in the area and remembers swimming at Oak Forest and downstream at Big Sands.

He remembers a salties in the 80s being caught in the Barron River around Kuranda.

“I think they have always been there up further from the rapids at the bridge,” he said.

During the recent site visit wildlife officers spoke to local Djabugay rangers who were encouraged to report all crocodile sightings.

The area above the Barron River Falls is known as freshwater crocodile habitat.

Wildlife officers investigate every sighting report, and estuarine crocodiles that pose a threat to human safety are targeted for removal under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan. Anyone with information is encouraged to report it to DESI by calling 1300 130 372 or by visiting the website at detsi.qld.gov.au

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Originally published as New warning about crocodiles in Barron near Kuranda