Croc cull push reignited by ‘extremely unusual’ sighting at Stradbroke Island

A saltie spotted almost 600km south of traditional croc country has reignited calls for Queensland to introduce a cull as their numbers “explode” up north.

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A saltie spotted almost 600km south of traditional croc country has reignited calls for Queensland to introduce a cull as their numbers “explode” up north.

Croc experts from Townsville were sent down to help wildlife rangers track and capture a three-metre saltie spotted at North Stradbroke Island on Wednesday.

A croc sighting that far south is considered extremely unusual, but experts warn it could become more common as air and sea temperatures change.

KAP Deputy Leader Nick Dametto said the incident gave southeast Queenslanders just a taste of the croc problem North Queensland has been “forced to deal with for years”.

“Crocodile numbers have exploded everywhere across the north, but recent reports from constituents in the Tully Heads area are causing me particular concern, especially sightings of a three-metre-long crocodile acting aggressively at the local boat ramp,” he said.

Croc experts from Townsville were sent down to help Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service continue search for a crocodile spotted at North Stradbroke Island.

“Crocodiles are moving into areas where they haven’t been seen for over 50 years — early last year, a large crocodile took up residence in the centre of Ingham at the TYTO Wetlands, and in December, a large Labrador was taken by a crocodile in Cairns.

“You would think such occurrences would cause the department to take swift action, but they seem to have a snail-like response to removing these problem crocodiles.”

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto on private property at Plum Tree Creek at The Pinnacles, near Townsville. Picture: Evan Morgan

In Queensland, there are up to 30,000 salties estimated living in the wild, with populations bouncing back after being nearly wiped out before the introduction of a 1970s hunting ban.

The KAP will renew its push to bring in croc culling when it reintroduces its Safer Waterways Bill into parliament later this year.

Acting Premier Steven Miles was asked if his government would reconsider introducing culls while he was in Townsville on Friday.

“Our rangers are already authorised to remove crocodiles by whatever means they determine most appropriate,” he said.

The Queensland government will not introduce a cull, despite the ­growing numbers and that crocs are inhabiting areas close to humanity and suburbia.

“Of course, largely that’s here in the north where they will trap and relocate dangerous crocodiles or shoot them if required.

“I’m very grateful for the crocodile experts from Townsville who are currently in Minjerribah working with the Quandamooka rangers as well as Parks and Wildlife Rangers to determine … what actions should be taken.

“We have those crocodile experts from Townsville trying to find this crocodile using all sorts of technology. they’re also using drones.

“I understand (Friday) morning they may have a confirmed sighting.

“When they find it, then they’ll determine the best way to remove it, whether that’s by trapping and relocating to a farm or by shooting it.”

Originally published as Croc cull push reignited by ‘extremely unusual’ sighting at Stradbroke Island