Expert links rare Inskip Point crocodile sighting to wild weather

An expert has weighed in on why a croc was sighted as far south as Inskip Point, as he issued a warning amid concerns for other areas.

A crocodile expert has weighed in on the rarity of Monday’s crocodile sighting at Inskip Point, claiming the severe weather in Queensland’s north could have contributed to a park ranger’s shock encounter.

Just north of Rainbow Beach, a crocodile was spotted at the Sarawak West camping area within the Great Sandy Marine Park, at 11am Monday.

The ranger took photos of the crocodile’s body imprint on the sand, its claw marks and marks made by its sliding tail.

Owner of Crocodylus Park, the largest crocodile attraction in the Northern Territory, Professor Grahame Webb said it was extremely unusual for a crocodile to venture that far south.

“You can never be quite sure with crocodiles. It is most unusual for one to be spotted so southward,” Professor Webb said.

“But you know, for reasons that we don’t really understand, the animal can move in unpredictable ways,” he said.

Professor Graham Webb said it was currently crocodile breeding season. Picture: Keri Megelus

Professor Webb said the flooding in Queensland’s north and it being the summer season could have prompted the crocodile to move further south.

“In the wet summer season it is their breeding time. This causes them to move around more so if you’re getting currents and water movement like Queensland is right now, you’ll probably get one (further south),” Professor Webb said.

“A study showed that usually crocs don’t move more than 50km from their main core area, so this could be just an individual (crocodile).

A photo taken by the ranger at Inskip Point on Monday.

“This time of year the water is safe for them to move with the male and females positioning themselves to breed.

“Heavy rain could be triggering all sorts, they could be evacuating,” he said.

Professor Webb said Monday’s sighting could cause concern for areas further south.

“If one has travelled so south that’s when they might turn up at an area where people have been safely swimming for the last 200 years. Park rangers will take that into account,” Professor Webb said.

“People need to be vigilant,” he said.

Professor Webb said it was very unlikely for a crocodile to be spotted in the Brisbane River.

A senior wildlife officer believed the animal was likely to be the same crocodile recently videoed on Coonarr Beach, near Bundaberg.

“There might be a historic recording of a crocodile in Brisbane, but it would be unlikely for one to appear now,” Professor Webb said.

“Up here in Darwin we remove around 300 crocs from the Darwin Harbour for public safety every year,” he said.

Originally published as Expert links rare Inskip Point crocodile sighting to wild weather