BRISBANE, Queensland, Jan. 24 -- The Department of Environment and Science issued the following media release:
Wildlife officers are investigating multiple reported sightings of a crocodile on the beach and in the water at Coonarr Beach and Elliott River mouth in the WideBay region.
On 23 January 2025, the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation received five reports from community members of what they believed to be acrocodile.
Wildlife officers are reviewing a short video showing a crocodile entering the water from abeach.
Wildlife officer Alexander Peters said wildlife officers are contacting community members who made the sighting reports, and recent crocodile sighting signs will be installed in thearea.
"We thank the members of the public who made these reports, and I can assure the community that they will be thoroughly investigated," MrPeterssaid.
"As part of our investigation, wildlife officers will conduct site assessments, including vessel-based searches and spotlight assessments of thearea.
"While the investigation is underway, people in the Wide Bay region should be vigilant around the water, which means keeping children close and keeping dogs away from the water'sedge.
"I'd like to encourage everyone in the community to make a sighting report if they see what they believe to be acrocodile.
"When crocodiles are observed on a beach or in the ocean, they are often passing through from one estuary to another and can be difficult tolocate.
"They can also move into a river or creek, and that's why sighting reports are important as they give wildlife officers the most up to date information about the location and behaviour ofcrocodiles.
"Under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan, the Wide Bay region is ZoneF - atypical crocodile habitat, in which any crocodile found is targeted forremoval.
"Crocodile sightings are rare in ZoneF, but occasionally crocodiles considered to be vagrant animals make their way into theseareas.
"I can reassure the community that any crocodile confirmed to be present in the Wide Bay region will be targeted for removal from thewild."
Fast facts:
* In 2013 and 2014, two large crocodiles were removed from the MaryRiver.* They remain the last estuarine crocodiles confirmed outside of Croc Country near the southern end of theirrange.* Croc Country begins at the Boyne River south ofGladstone.* It extends northward, up the east coast and across far north and northwest Queensland to the Northern Territoryborder.
Crocodile sightings can be reported by using the QWildlife app, completing a crocodile sighting report on the DETSI website, or by calling 1300130372. Thedepartment investigates every crocodile sighting reportreceived.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
