Crackdown on ‘unintentional’ feeding of crocs after fatal attacks

A crackdown on feeding of wild crocodiles now means Queenslanders who unintentionally feed the apex predators by discarding fish frames or bait could be slapped with a $6452 fine.

A large croc at Crocodile Bend on the Annan River eating a fish frame illegally dumped into the river. Picture: Tim Wright

A crackdown on feeding of wild crocodiles now means Queenslanders who unintentionally feed the apex predators by discarding fish frames or bait could be slapped with a $6452 fine.

Heftier fines for interacting with crocs have been enshrined in law with the roll out of two new offences.

On Tuesday the state government introduced two new offences for discarding food scraps in a way that may attract crocodiles, and for wilfully being close to a crocodile on land.

The tightening up of interactions with the deadly predators follows the recent killing of Dr David Hogbin who was taken from the banks of the Annan River near Cooktown by a croc that had been fed by locals for decades.

Dr David Hogbin, 40, from Newcastle, was attacked and killed by a crocodile on the Annan River at a place known as Crocodile Bend, on August 3, 2024.

Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch claimed feeding of the 4.9m croc, which was later shot by rangers, directly contributed to the death of the 40-year-old on August 3.

Discarding food, including fish frames, scraps and bait, in a way that may attract crocodiles

to a public place such as a boat ramp, jetty, pontoon or camping area can now mean an

on-the-spot fine of $483 or a maximum court-imposed fine of $6452.

The new laws aim to make the public safer in croc country and complement existing laws that forbid the deliberate feeding of crocodiles.

But historically, breaches of the Nature Conservation Act are rarely enforced.

Crocodile Bend 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

Information on the exact number of infringements issued for illegal feeding of crocodiles has never been forthcoming from the Environment Department, but it’s understood a handful of fines have been issued since the law was enacted in 1992.

Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Leanne Linard said croc management reform was designed to reduce the risks associated with deliberately feeding and interacting with crocodiles.

“The Miles Government is serious about keeping people safe in Croc Country,” she said.

“People may think feeding crocs or interacting with them is fun or harmless, but experience shows that doing so increases the risk to public safety.

On August 5, 2024 Queensland Parks and Wildlife rangers prepare to retrieve a search boat during the search for a missing man who was taken into the waters of the Annan River by a large croc. Peter Carruthers

“The Miles Government is investing more than $4.9m in crocodile management, and we will continue to listen to the experts, stakeholders and the wider community to ensure we are managing our crocodile population appropriately and effectively to meet our community

protection and conservation goals.”

The updated suite of crocodile offences will make Croc Country safer for all, while preserving iconic and prehistoric animals for future generations, according to the state government.

The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation last month was working with police to review a croc feeding video posted to social media to attempt to identify a fishermen who fed the Annan River croc that later ate Dr Hogbin, however no fines in relation to the croc feeding have been issued.

Laura publican Kevin Darmody was attacked and killed by a crocodile in Lakefield National Park in May 2023.

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Originally published as Crackdown on ‘unintentional’ feeding of crocs after fatal attacks