Qld crocodile laws: Conservationist’s calls for fines on rule-breaking videos
No penalties have been issued for reckless human behaviour around crocodiles since the introduction of tougher new laws in Qld, while videos of interaction continue to be monetised.
Cairns
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Not a single penalty has been issued for reckless human behaviour around crocodiles since the introduction of tough new laws in Queensland, sparking calls for further reform.
And following a recent encounter between well-known Russell River saltie Clyde and two men, president of Community Representation of Crocodiles Amanda French said the apex predator could sadly be the one facing consequences.
The two men were photographed standing in proximity to the 4.5m reptile on a sand bank in the river, understood to be on the weekend of June 14-15.
Cairns Division 1 councillor Brett Moller said he believed the men were not locals, and on Monday, June 16 lodged a complaint to the Department of Environment Tourism, Science and Innovation.
A DETSI spokeswoman on June 20 confirmed the incident was still being investigated, while warning the behaviour could result in a penalty up to $26,614.
Ms French said it was not the first time humans were caught disturbing Clyde and there were now concerns among the local community that the totemic animal would be targeted for removal.
“He’s done nothing wrong, but as his behaviour changes due to more human interaction, that warrants the department to consider him a potential problem crocodile and target him for removal,” she said.
The state government in September 2024 introduced new penalties for human behaviour around the historic animals including for feeding and attracting crocodiles, and beefed up penalties for remaining in proximity to, or deliberately disturbing the animals.
But a department spokeswoman confirmed not a single fine had been issued since, with the organisation opting for an “educational approach.”
But Ms French argued the textbook wasn’t working with social media user and influencers outperforming the state government’s messaging.
In February 2023 Alister Macphee ignored warning signs at the Bloomfield River near Wujal Wujal, to film himself and his dog entering crocodile waters, before the apex predator bit his leg and took his pup, with the viral video gaining international attention.
The crocodile was then targeted and killed by rangers, but the video remains online attracting millions of views, while Mr Macphee avoided penalty, prior to the change of laws.
“We know that incident from 2023 was monetised on LADbible and gained millions of views.
“And then (influencer) Jaylie Tori (Bonow) admitted to feeding a crocodile (also Clyde) to her followers but was never fined.
“So these influencers are reaching thousands if not millions of people with their behaviour and not getting fined, meanwhile how many people are following the poor old government to see their croc-wise message?
“The issue is if we’re not making examples out of this behaviour, in that department’s not showing that there’s a person or people being fined, how are we getting that message out to people about those new offences?”
Ms French said her organisation was advocating for updated signage at waterways, reminding visitors of the new penalties for feeding and disturbing crocodiles.
“All we’ve got are the ones warning you there’s a crocodile here, but the laws have been updated, so do the signs.”
She also called for tougher penalties for those who posted videos of reckless behaviour around crocodiles, in a similar concept to the state’s new laws around stealing cars and sharing that content online.
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Originally published as Qld crocodile laws: Conservationist’s calls for fines on rule-breaking videos
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