Bloomfield croc shot amid bizarre theory on why victim went swim

The man who ignored croc warning signs before being attacked by a 4.2m saltie has issued a statement as rangers find the remains of Molly the dog in croc’s stomach.

It can be revealed the man who ignored croc warning signs before being attacked by a large saltie south of Cooktown had plans to catch a water python.

On Wednesday the 37-year-old traveller, Alister MacPhee, walked to the end of the Bloomfield River boat ramp in a pair of budgie smugglers and began wading into the water with his dog Molly straight into the path of a croc submerged in shallow muddy water.

Picture of Alister MacPhee after being attacked by a crocodile near the Bloomfield boat ramp, 50kms south of Cooktown.

A video of the incident shows the croc lunging out of the water and grabbing the traveller on the leg before shifting targets and grabbing the dog instead.

Mr MacPhee has declined interview requests but Facebook posts leading up to the attack reveal possible motivation behind the bizarre decision to put his life in danger.

“It’s hard to go full bush hear (sic) everything is native land,” he wrote in the comments to his mate.

“I want to catch a big water python but the croc’s ya see.”

In a chilling post months before the attack Mr MacPhee was warned about the danger lurking in Far North river systems.

“As far as the crocs go, just don’t develop a pattern of waterside visits,” Ray Wilson said.

In a statement issued on Friday Mr MacPhee thanked emergency services and Cairns Hospital staff.

“(And) especially Magic Molly (my dog) who was always by my side,” he said.

“I have, unfortunately, learned the hard way. Everyone needs to be croc-wise in croc territory.

“While I am recovering from my injuries, I am asking people to please respect my privacy.”

A Facebook thread from the feed of croc attack victim Alister MacPhee.

Alister MacPhee and his dog Molly before being the pair were attacked by a big croc on the Bloomfield River on Wednesday, February 22. Picture: Facebook

Wildlife officers from the Department of Environment and Science shot the croc late Thursday and found the remains of Mr MacPhee’s dog, Molly, inside the animal’s stomach after conducting a necropsy on Friday morning.

The development on Friday followed a statement from the department on Thursday saying the croc would be targeted for removal from the waterway.

Wildlife officers from Cairns conducted a spotlighting survey of the river and located the crocodile about 200m from where the attack occurred and the 4.2m crocodile was humanely euthanised, according to the department.

Department of Environment and Science manager of northern wildlife operations Michael Joyce Mike Joyce. Picture: Natasha Emeck

Manager of northern wildlife operations Michael Joyce said the department’s key priority was public safety, and the euthanasia of such a large old crocodile in its natural habitat was unfortunately unavoidable.

“It’s important for communities in croc country to feel safe and for problem crocodiles to be dealt with appropriately,” Mr Joyce said.

“Remember, warning signs are not there as decoration and swimming in croc country is a choice.”

Alister MacPhee moments after being bitten at the Bloomfield boat ramp.

Mr Joyce said wildlife officers made the call not to try and trap the animal and shooting the croc was the best way to remove the saltie responsible for the attack.

He declined to comment on challenges associated with rehoming large crocs throughout Queensland. 

Daintree crocodile expert David White suggested the animal was shot due to limited space available at zoos and croc breeding facilities.

Alister MacPhee was flown to Cairns Hospital from the Bloomfield River after being bitten on the lag by a large saltwater croc on Wednesday afternoon. Picture: Supplied

“These days removal often means euthanized,” he said.

“I find it very sad. And of course they kill that one and another will soon sit in the same place.

“This guy foolishly made a poor decision and it cost the dog his life, and the crocs life.”

Analysing the attack Mr White said it made sense that the croc let go of Mr MacPhee’s leg and chose to target the smaller prey option.

Video still of Alister MacPhee and his dog being attacked by a crocodile near the Bloomfield boat ramp in North QLD.

“They are reptiles, they don’t eat much and they usually go for the easiest option and the dog was smaller,” he said.

“(The croc) lunged at him and might not have got his leg properly and the poor old dog tried to defend his master and got taken.

“It seems a very strange thing to walk past croc warning signs and set up your camera. I don’t know what he was thinking.”

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Originally published as Bloomfield croc shot amid bizarre theory on why victim went swim