Published Thursday, 24 May, 2007 at 12:29 PM
Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Water Police attend QPWS croc school
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service crocodile management experts will pass their knowledge on to Water Police officers at a crocodile team leader training course in Cardwell this week.
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said QPWS crocodile experts regularly worked with officers from the Water Police section of the Queensland Police Service, surveying for crocodiles and maintaining a watch while officers searched for evidence in waterways.
“This is the first time Water Police officers have attended crocodile training with the QPWS.
“Six officers will attend this week’s course in Cardwell, drawing on the knowledge and expertise of our QPWS croc experts to increase their awareness and appreciation of these animals.
“They will learn important skills to work safely in and on the water in croc country, but won’t be gaining certification to work with crocodiles.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said a number of QPWS officers were also attending the team-leader course to learn new skills and to ensure local rangers had the expertise to respond to crocodile issues within their districts.
QPWS officers attending the course were from the David Fleay Wildlife Park on the Gold Coast, Rockhampton, Townsville, Cardwell, Innisfail, Cairns and Cooktown.
“On completion of this training QPWS will have 21 staff qualified in crocodile restraint and capture at the team-leader level,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Another 49 have been trained to a competent level in crocodile management, bringing the total number of QPWS staff with crocodile expertise to 70.”
“These trained rangers are further proof that QPWS’s commitment to crocodile management in croc country is being strengthened at every opportunity.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said the training course at Cardwell exposed participants to various crocodile management techniques.
It also assessed the participants’ capacity to safely lead a team to capture, remove or process and release estuarine crocodiles.
“When they complete the course, graduates will join their colleagues to provide a well-trained, responsive and professional crocodile management service from central Queensland to Cape York.”
Minister for Police Judy Spence said she was pleased Queensland Water Police officers would be given the opportunity to further their skills.
“Water Police officers in Far Northern Queensland are often called upon to deal with a range of situations, including the management of wild animals,” Ms Spence said.
“This training will ensure they have the best knowledge to approach and deal with any circumstances that arise involving crocodiles, to ensure community safety and security.
“This inter-department training demonstrates how all parts of government can work together to ensure the community is safe.”
Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004 and Lisa Gilby 3336 8002
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said QPWS crocodile experts regularly worked with officers from the Water Police section of the Queensland Police Service, surveying for crocodiles and maintaining a watch while officers searched for evidence in waterways.
“This is the first time Water Police officers have attended crocodile training with the QPWS.
“Six officers will attend this week’s course in Cardwell, drawing on the knowledge and expertise of our QPWS croc experts to increase their awareness and appreciation of these animals.
“They will learn important skills to work safely in and on the water in croc country, but won’t be gaining certification to work with crocodiles.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said a number of QPWS officers were also attending the team-leader course to learn new skills and to ensure local rangers had the expertise to respond to crocodile issues within their districts.
QPWS officers attending the course were from the David Fleay Wildlife Park on the Gold Coast, Rockhampton, Townsville, Cardwell, Innisfail, Cairns and Cooktown.
“On completion of this training QPWS will have 21 staff qualified in crocodile restraint and capture at the team-leader level,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Another 49 have been trained to a competent level in crocodile management, bringing the total number of QPWS staff with crocodile expertise to 70.”
“These trained rangers are further proof that QPWS’s commitment to crocodile management in croc country is being strengthened at every opportunity.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said the training course at Cardwell exposed participants to various crocodile management techniques.
It also assessed the participants’ capacity to safely lead a team to capture, remove or process and release estuarine crocodiles.
“When they complete the course, graduates will join their colleagues to provide a well-trained, responsive and professional crocodile management service from central Queensland to Cape York.”
Minister for Police Judy Spence said she was pleased Queensland Water Police officers would be given the opportunity to further their skills.
“Water Police officers in Far Northern Queensland are often called upon to deal with a range of situations, including the management of wild animals,” Ms Spence said.
“This training will ensure they have the best knowledge to approach and deal with any circumstances that arise involving crocodiles, to ensure community safety and security.
“This inter-department training demonstrates how all parts of government can work together to ensure the community is safe.”
Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004 and Lisa Gilby 3336 8002