Published Thursday, 12 December, 2013 at 07:30 AM
Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection
The Honourable Andrew Powell
Cairns patrols begin for contracted crocodile catchers
Crocodile handlers from the Dawul Wuru Indigenous Corporation have started patrolling Cairns’ northern beaches under the Queensland Government’s crocodile management plan.
Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection Andrew Powell said the contracted croc catchers had removed two crocodiles in their first week of operation.
“The animals will be relocated to a crocodile farm or zoo – a good start for the new catchers,” Mr Powell said.
“The work of the Dawul Wuru Indigenous Corporation will complement the ongoing efforts of EHP’s wildlife rangers to reduce the numbers of crocodiles in the Cairns area.
“This is about making Cairns’ magnificent waterways safer for residents and growing tourism as one of the four pillars of the economy as we promised to do at the election.”
Mr Powell said the Dawul Wuru Indigenous Corporation’s handlers were responsible for removing crocodiles from the northern bank of Trinity Inlet up to Ellis Beach (including Lake Placid) and the downstream area of the Barron River and Chinaman’s Creek.
“All crocodiles will be removed humanely and offered to crocodile farms or zoos, in accordance with the crocodile management plan,” he said.
“While we will do everything we can to put the safety of people first, we must accept that we can never make Cairns entirely croc-free.
“As we move into what we hope will be another busy holiday season, it is vital that everyone, including locals and tourists who may be visiting the area on holidays, practice crocwise behaviour.”
This includes:
Crocodile sightings should be reported to the department on 1300 130 372 as soon as possible.
All reports will be investigated. Information on crocodiles, on being Crocwise, and copies of Queensland’s crocodile management plans are available on EHP’s website at www.ehp.qld.gov.au.
[ENDS] 12 December 2013
Media contact: Brooke Hargraves 0458 689 043
Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection Andrew Powell said the contracted croc catchers had removed two crocodiles in their first week of operation.
“The animals will be relocated to a crocodile farm or zoo – a good start for the new catchers,” Mr Powell said.
“The work of the Dawul Wuru Indigenous Corporation will complement the ongoing efforts of EHP’s wildlife rangers to reduce the numbers of crocodiles in the Cairns area.
“This is about making Cairns’ magnificent waterways safer for residents and growing tourism as one of the four pillars of the economy as we promised to do at the election.”
Mr Powell said the Dawul Wuru Indigenous Corporation’s handlers were responsible for removing crocodiles from the northern bank of Trinity Inlet up to Ellis Beach (including Lake Placid) and the downstream area of the Barron River and Chinaman’s Creek.
“All crocodiles will be removed humanely and offered to crocodile farms or zoos, in accordance with the crocodile management plan,” he said.
“While we will do everything we can to put the safety of people first, we must accept that we can never make Cairns entirely croc-free.
“As we move into what we hope will be another busy holiday season, it is vital that everyone, including locals and tourists who may be visiting the area on holidays, practice crocwise behaviour.”
This includes:
- Obeying croc warning signs
- Not swimming or letting domestic pets swim in waters where crocs may live
- Being aware that crocodiles also swim in the ocean
- Standing back from the water when fishing or cast netting
- Never provoking, harassing or feeding crocs
- Never leaving food, fish scraps or bait near the water, a camp site or boat ramp
- Always supervising children
Crocodile sightings should be reported to the department on 1300 130 372 as soon as possible.
All reports will be investigated. Information on crocodiles, on being Crocwise, and copies of Queensland’s crocodile management plans are available on EHP’s website at www.ehp.qld.gov.au.
[ENDS] 12 December 2013
Media contact: Brooke Hargraves 0458 689 043