Dead crocs: Rangers investigate saltwater crocodile deaths at Normanton west of Cairns

Rangers responding to reports of up to 14 dead crocs on a Far North river have shared the results of their investigations.

Rangers run a metal detector over a dead croc on the Norman River to determine if the animal was illegally shot. Picture: DES

Rangers travelling to the remote Gulf town of Normanton to investigate reports of up to 14 dead crocs on the Norman River say they did not detect any bullets inside four reptiles examined.

Last Thursday, August 31, as reported by this masthead, Normanton locals reported finding dead saltwater croc carcasses floating down the river.

The Department of Environment and Science dispatched a team of wildlife offers to determine if reports of croc shootings were accurate.

Rangers have travelled to Normanton to investigate dead crocs found on the Norman River. Picture: Tim

On Friday the department revealed exactly what examinations revealed about the dead animal’s cause of death.

Officers conducted patrols of the Norman River covering the entire area where the carcasses had been reported.

DES confirmed the deaths of four crocodiles within the past two weeks but have debunked allegations that the crocs had been shot.

“During these patrols, wildlife officers examined two large carcasses and scanned them with a metal detector to determine whether the animals had been shot,” a DES spokesman said.

“The metal detector did not detect any bullets inside the crocodiles, and due to the advanced state of decomposition, wildlife officers were unable to determine the causes of death.”

An inconclusive finding into what caused the deaths has meant the investigation remained ongoing.

Normanton local Nigel Gilbo investigates a dead crocodile on the Norman River. Picture: Dylan Leschke

DES thanked the people on the ground working for a network of organisations that assisted with the croc death investigation.

These agencies included Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol, Queensland Police Service, rangers from the Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation and Carpentaria Shire Council.

Fishermen and tourism operators with local knowledge of the river were also thanked by DES.

It is unlawful to deliberately harm or kill crocodiles or be in possession of a deceased crocodile or parts of a deceased crocodile.

Rangers run patrols for dead crocs on the Normal River. Picture: DES

The maximum penalty for the deliberate harm or killing of crocodiles in Queensland is $34,830.

Anyone with information about the deceased crocodiles is encouraged to call 1300 130 372 or contact the Queensland Police Service via Crime Stoppers. Information can be provided anonymously.

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Originally published as Dead crocs: Rangers investigate saltwater crocodile deaths at Normanton west of Cairns