Annan River crocodile bend regarded as ‘unnatural’ habitat following David Hogbin attack

An experienced crocodile handler believes if it weren’t for people feeding the animal, it would be “unnatural” for a croc to be hanging out in the spot a NSW doctor was attacked and killed. Read his reasons why.

Crocodile Bend along the Annan River, near Cooktown. Inset: Innisfail crocodile handler Damien Cowan.

An experienced Far North crocodile handler says the area of the Annan River where a 4.9m saltie took a New South Wales tourist last week, was not a “natural spot” for the apex predator to be present.

Newcastle doctor David Hogbin, 40, fell into the river at a spot known as Crocodile Bend on Saturday, before he was taken by a resident croc of “many decades”.

The Annan River, about five minutes south of Cooktown, is regarded as highly dense habitat for the reptiles.

But river bank at Crocodile Bend would create an unsuitable feeding location, Innisfail crocodile handler of 16 years, Damien Cowan said.

Mr Cowan said while he could not categorically rule that the 4.9m saltie would not have been present otherwise, he strongly believed the “main reason he was hanging out there was from behaviour brought-on by people.”

Damien Cowan is chasing his dream of opening a wildlife sanctuary on the Cassowary Coast in the former location of the Goondi Mill. Picture: Joshua Davies

“That behaviour was an easy feed, it was a repetitive, routine operation,” Mr Cowan said.

“The animals are typical Australians – we’re pretty lazy, if we can get a feed by going to the fridge, we’re not going for a hunt – it’s the same as crocs.

“Crocs don’t have a big brain, but they are very good at one thing – and that’s knowing its source of food.

“A crocodile will learn where it finds its prey – where the wallabies go and drink all the time – the crocodiles will be there because they can understand those patterns.

“So that’s what he was doing with the discarded fish scraps – it was a pattern he was following. It’s nothing new.”

A large croc spotted at Crocodile Bend on the Annan River before a man was taken and killed by a 4.9m animal on Saturday. Picture: Robbie Giblin

Mr Cowan said the steep bank at crocodile bend naturally did not present itself as a location of an “easy catch or feed” for a veteran animal.

“You’re not getting prey consistently falling off a large bank, you’re not having a pig or a wallaby taking a misstep and falling in there. So it’s an unnatural area for that crocodile to prey or feed.

“They take prey in the water, on the water or at the water’s edge. Something that’s 14 feet up a bank is out of reach, so it’s not natural for a croc to be looking for a feed there.”

Crocodile Bend, showing a cliff-like bank of the Annan River near where a man was dragged into the water by a large saltwater crocodile on Saturday, August 3. Picture: Peter Carruthers

Mr Cowan said the incident involving Mr Hogbin was “an absolute tragedy,” as it was for the decades-old reptile.

“A croc that thought it was getting fish frames got shot in the head. Yes the croc attacked him, but he didn’t hunt him.”

I believe we need more in-person education – showing people the capabilities of these animals.

“If you could be shown exactly what a 4.9m croc can do, and just how big and intimidating it is, you always grow a better appreciation by seeing. A lesson you’d never forget.”

Originally published as Annan River crocodile bend regarded as ‘unnatural’ habitat following David Hogbin attack