BRISBANE, Queensland, Feb. 5 -- The Department of Environment and Science issued the following media release:

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Wildlife officers have conducted land-based and vessel-based searches for the crocodile

Wildlife officers will continue searching for an estimated two-metre-long crocodile in the InskipPoint area after receiving further sighting reports and video of the animal in theocean.

The crocodile was first observed by a ranger on the beach in front of the Sarawak camping area on 3February2025.

The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation has since received four additional sighting reports of the crocodile in thearea.

Video taken by a camper on Monday 3February2025 showing the crocodile swimming close to the beach near the bargelanding.

Senior wildlife officer JoshuaMorris said wildlife officers conducted land-based searches on 3and4February 2025 and used a drone, but did not confirm the presence of the animal with poor weather conditions hampering theirsearch.

"Wildlife officers will conduct further land and water-based searches today, including an intensive vessel-based spotlight search tonight," MrMorrissaid.

"We believe this is the same crocodile that was recently seen in the Bundaberg region on 23January2025.

"We thank the people who provided the sighting reports and urge anyone who sees what they believe to be a crocodile to make a sighting report as soon aspossible.

"Fishers and people on the beach are an extra set of eyes in the search for thiscrocodile.

"Rangers have installed crocodile warning signs at key locations and will continue to provide advice to people in camping areas in the InskipPoint region.

"This crocodile has fled into the water at the sight of people and has so far avoided crowded beaches, but we still need people to be vigilant around thewater.

"Make considered choices when it comes to swimming and use a barrier such as an esky when fishing from thebeach.

"We believe the crocodile might head back north to its habitat when weather conditions improve, but if it stays in the southeast Queensland region, it will be removed from thewild.

Crocodile sightings can be reported by using the QWildlifeapp, completing a crocodile sighting report on the DETSIwebsite, or bycalling 1300130372. Thedepartment investigates every crocodile sighting reportreceived.

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