BRISBANE, Queensland, Jan. 29 -- The Department of Environment and Science issued the following media release:
Wildlife officers investigating multiple sighting reports of a crocodile south of Bundaberg last week did not observe the animal and believe it may have headednorth.
The comprehensive investigation involved day and nighttime beach and river patrols, vessel-based spotlighting surveys and a helicopter survey along the coastline and localrivers.
Approximately 450kilometres of coastline, creeks and rivers were searched during the investigation, which was sparked by social media posts, including a video appearing to show a crocodile entering the ocean at CoonarrBeach.
Senior Wildlife Officer TonyFrisby said the investigation was conducted by experienced wildlife officers throughout the longweekend.
"It has now been five days since the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation received the last sighting report for the crocodile on 23January2025," MrFrisbysaid.
"We thank those members of the public for submitting crocodile sighting reports and providing video footage of theanimal.
"The Wide Bay is considered atypical crocodile habitat, and it is possible that the animal was flushed out of a river system in its normal range by high rainfall or due to a conflict with anothercrocodile.
"Crocodiles can swim up to forty kilometres a day, and the animal may be heading north, back into its normalhabitat.
"We are monitoring for further reports, and I'd like to encourage everyone in the Wide Bay community to report whenever they believe they have seen a crocodile to thedepartment."
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.
Under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan, the WideBay region is zoned as a typical habitat for crocodiles, in which any crocodile found is targeted forremoval.
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