No croc found in Noosa waters after extensive ranger search

After a mysterious shadow sparked fears of a crocodile in Noosa waters, authorities have scoured the river for answers while locals debate the creature’s true identity.

An extensive search of Noosa waters to investigate an alleged croc sighting has concluded, with many speculating on the likelihood of its existence.

Following a suspiciously croc-shaped shadow found on a fish finder on Sunday, authorities have conducted of a search of the Noosa River and revealed their findings on Wednesday.

A Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation spokesman said wildlife rangers surveyed 19km of the Noosa River on a vessel last night.

A day time survey of 15km from the river mouth to Lake Cooroibah was also completed on July 22.

James Graham from the Noosa posted some vision of what looks like it might be a crocodile in the Noosa River. The vision is from his boat’s fishing depth sounder Picture Facebook

Wildlife rangers search the Noosa River after reports of croc sightings. Photo: Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation

The spokesman said no evidence of a crocodile was found.

The department will look out for further reports, and anyone with information is encouraged to come forward.

Crocodile sightings can be reported via the QWildlife app or by calling 1300 130 372.

James Graham had shared the image of what he suspected was a crocodile on his radar.

He told The Courier-Mail he was fishing with his friend Kai Tapley on Sunday afternoon when he saw what looked like a crocodile on his Garmin fish finder.

“We went out fishing, like we always do but it was different to other days,” he said.

“We didn’t get a bite. We’re looking around thinking, what’s wrong? Why aren’t we catching anything?

“Then we saw what looked like a crocodile.”

Experienced Noosa boatie James Graham who spotted what he believes was a saltwater crocodile in the Noosa river on his sounder. Picture Lachie Millard

Wildlife rangers search the Noosa River after reports of croc sightings. Photo: Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation

Mr Graham said he was pretty confident it was a crocodile.

“And the reason I can say that is because Kai and I regularly go a few hundred kilometres north into croc waters, and use the Garmin fish finder to look around, and you’ll see an old car or a boot or something on the bottom, and then you’ll spot a croc,” he said.

“But down here in Noosa, to see exactly what we see many kilometres further north. That just says it’s a croc to me, tell me that’s not a croc.”

People flocked to the comments of posts made by this publication and the Courier Mail to share their thoughts on the elusive figure shown in the radar.

Many declared it was a dolphin, noting the dark shape was actually the shadow of a dolphin from its side on a side scan sonar.

Wildlife rangers search the Noosa River after reports of croc sightings. Photo: Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation

James Graham from the Noosa area has posted some vision of what looks like it might be a crocodile in the Noosa River, the vision is from his boats fishing depth sounder Picture Facebook

Others argued it would not be unthinkable to find a crocodile at Noosa, considering exploding population numbers could push the species down from the north.

Ryan Moody Fishing weighed in on the subject in detail in a comment, declaring himself to be a former fishing guide who now teaches sonar readings.

Observing the picture, Mr Moody deduced the boat was almost stationary and the animal moved alongside it at a slow speed.

“They don’t always look exactly like the animal as the display depends on how it spends its time in the beam,” he wrote

He said it appeared the animal, with only its tail in the beam of the radar, suddenly stopped and the beam ran quickly over its body or it was actually a smaller animal.

“What you see is just the shadow. The primary target is to the right of it,” he said.

He noted a crocodile’s sweeping tail would show up on the radar as such, but it “doesn’t quite like look like a croc”.

Mr Moody said a crocodile would be sunning themselves on a bank around this time of the year instead of spending time in the water.

WHAT YOU SAID:

Fishing Australia TV

“Hi all. That’s 100% a Dolphin swimming in its side. We just filmed there.

“Lots of dolphins in the area. That’s what they look like on that model side scan sounder.

“You’re welcome.”

New Defender Mods

“Looks like a dolphin”

Barbara Haynes

“Makes sense with global warming that they will gradually come south.”

Summy Bummy

“Yep it's there for sure.
“It was seen two years ago by my partner and his friend out fishing in Weyba Creek. No one believed them.”

Christopher McLoughlin

“They’ve been in the Mary River for years, only a matter of time until one was spotted down this way.

“They are naturally moving south as their population explodes up north.”

Ziggy Shurte

“Crocs can live in some bloody cold waters.

“Their numbers have been increasing so It’s not unthinkable for them to move further south.”

Joel Evans

“Looks like a dolphin.”

Jesse Inall

“Dolphin on its side, stirring up the bottom for small food such as prawns.”

Jared Fisher

“Who cares, it’s a croc in the marine habitat.”

Shannon Hartas

“Been there for years.”

Debz Keen

“Thought is was only a matter of time before they headed this way.”

Originally published as No croc found in Noosa waters after extensive ranger search