Saltwater crocodile removed from recreational area in Tyto Wetlands
A hefty saltwater crocodile measuring well over three metres has been trapped and removed from a popular North Queensland wetlands and recreational area.
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A hefty saltwater crocodile measuring well over three metres has been trapped and removed from a popular North Queensland wetlands and recreational area.
The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation said on Friday that a 3.4-metre saltie, also known as an estuarine crocodile, had been removed from Tyto Wetlands in Ingham on May 10.
DETSI said it targeted the animal for removal due to its “size and location near a high-use recreational area and children’s playground”.
Tyto is an expansive man-made wetlands that includes a number of connected bodies of water, including one near the Hinchinbrook Shire Council library and gallery.
The wetlands are known crocodile habitat and the animal targeted for removal has long occupied the body of water furthest from human habitation.
Hinchinbrook Mayor Ramon Jayo has long called for the removal of all crocodiles more than two-metres long from the area.
DETSI said it had received multiple sighting reports from concerned members of the public.
Senior Wildlife Ranger Tony Frisby said an assessment by wildlife rangers confirmed the presence of the crocodile.
“We’d like to thank those people who reported the crocodile,” he said.
“Their information helped us to determine that it should be declared a problem crocodile and targeted for removal.”
Mr Frisby said the crocodile was caught in a baited trap and would be moved to a crocodile farm or zoo.
“People are reminded that the Ingham area is crocodile habitat, and crocodiles do move in and out of the artificial Tyto Wetlands, particularly during flooding,” he said.
“Crocodiles could be present in any waterway in the Ingham area, and people should make sensible choices when they are around the water.”
North Queensland is heading into the ideal time of the year for crocodile watching.
Mr Frisby said that during winter, crocs would spend more time sunning themselves on creek and riverbanks and “may be seen in locations where they haven’t been seen in years or haven’t been seen before”.
“It is important to report all crocodile sightings to us as soon as possible, and wildlife rangers investigate every sighting report.”
A crocodile was recently removed from the wild in Townsville.
Crocodile sightings can be reported by using the QWildlife app, completing a crocodile sighting report on the DETSI website, or by calling 1300 130 372. The department investigates every crocodile sighting report received.
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Originally published as Saltwater crocodile removed from recreational area in Tyto Wetlands
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