Search for Archer Point croc scaled down

The crocodile that attacked a man at Archer Point south of Cooktown has remained elusive as wildlife officers release an update in their search for the snappy reptile.

The crocodile that attacked a man at Archer Point south of Cooktown has remained elusive as wildlife officers scale down their search for the snappy reptile.

Wildlife officers from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) arrived at the location on Sunday evening to commence investigations surrounding the attack, searching for the crocodile that may have been involved.

Officers have been involved in land and vessel-based searches since Sunday evening, including spotlighting.

QPWS wildlife officers and a Yuku Baja Muliku ranger taken during land-based searches on Monday Afternoon. Photo: Department of Environment and science.

A Department of Environment and Science spokesman confirmed officers conducted a spotlight search Monday night of waters at Archer Point, including the mouth of the Annan River, and did not identify the target animal but they did observe many turtles in the area which crocodiles hunt.

“The search included more than four kilometres of coastline. The investigation will continue this afternoon to and will involve QPWS wildlife officers and Yuku Baja Muliku rangers and traditional owners.”

Wildlife officers spoke to the victim on Tuesday, and based on his account and other information gathered, indications are the animal was moving through the area and feeding on turtles.

The department confirmed rangers would continue to monitor the area.

“Yuku Baja Muliku rangers and Traditional Owners, are highly skilled and knowledgeable about crocodiles on their Land and Sea Country, will continue to monitor the Archer Point area for the presence of crocodiles,” the spokesman said.

The area around Archer Point is well known for its reptilian inhabitants and locals were not surprised by the news of an attack.

Jonathan Sterckx is an administrator for the Cairns Spearo’s spearfishing group and said he had a close friend who had come face-to-face with a large crocodile at the location.

“That particular area is known for its large resident croc and anyone diving there solo is either blissfully unaware or has little regard for their own life,” he said.

Mr Sterckx provided some insight into how those in the spearfishing community stay safe in croc country.

Wildlife officers conduct spotlight searches for the shining eyes of any crocodiles in the Archer Point area. Picture: DES

“There are a lot of spearos who dive the coast, but in recent years the burgeoning croc population has made things a lot more dangerous than it used to be,” he said.

“The one thing that all of these croc attacks have in common (as far as I know) is that the victims were all diving solo.

“In all the time I’ve been freediving/spearfishing, 12 years, I have not heard of any pairs or trios of divers being attacked.

“With this in mind, when my crew and I dive the coast, we always dive 2-3 divers in the water at the same time with another person in the boat who follows at a short distance and keeps an eye out for crocs and instantly retrieves any fish that are shot.”

Mr Sterckx said that due to the popularity of spearfishing in the Far North and a booming crocodile population, it was only a matter of time before incidents occur.

“If people observe the correct safety protocols they can greatly reduce the danger to themselves but it would be nice to see some reduction in the numbers of large crocs as well.”

The man who was attacked remains in Cairns Hospital in a stable condition.

Originally published as Search for Archer Point croc scaled down