Wildlife officers remove second crocodile from Two Mile Creek area

The Two Mile Creek croc crackdown continues with wildlife officers catching another saltwater crocodile in the Mareeba Shire yesterday (29 August).

Environment Minister Steven Miles said wildlife officers removed a 2.3 metre animal from a trap deployed in Two Mile Creek.

“This successful operation follows the removal of another 2.3 metre croc from Mareeba in late July,” Mr Miles said.

“The location and size of this crocodile matches one of the animals spotted from the air by wildlife officers during a helicopter inspection of the Mareeba area on 8 August 2017.

“Wildlife Officers moved the trap in that section of the creek after observing the crocodile’s location from the helicopter and are confident it is the same animal.”

The crocodile will be moved to a crocodile farm or zoo.

Mr Miles said the owner of the property had called EHP on 1300 130 372 to report several crocodiles in his dam in early July 2017.

Efforts are continuing to remove a juvenile (60cm) estuarine crocodile in a nearby dam.

“Crocs do not belong in this area and we are targeting any crocodiles sighted there for removal,” he said.

The Government amended the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan in June this year to require of any crocodile found in the Two Mile Creek area, which is now classed an Atypical zone (zone F), to be targeted for removal.

EHP officers will respond to any crocodile sighting reported in this new zone by inspecting the area as soon as practical and targeting any estuarine crocodile they find for removal.

The rest of the Mareeba Shire remains in Zone E, a General Management Zone, in which any crocodile displaying dangerous behaviour will be targeted for removal.

A map of Mareeba Shire showing the Zone F Atypical Habitat zone (shaded green) is available on the EHP website at:

http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/wildlife/livingwith/pdf/wl-map-qcmp-mareeba-map.pdf

Members of the public are reminded to report crocodiles to EHP on 1300 130 372. It is very important not to approach crocodiles. It is very important to be Crocwise in croc country. In particular:

• Obey croc warning signs
• Don’t swim or let domestic pets swim in waters where crocs may live
• Be aware that crocodiles also swim in the ocean
• Stand back from the water when fishing or cast netting
• Never provoke, harass or feed crocs
• Never leave food, fish scraps or bait near the water, a camp site or boat ramp
• Never interfere with or fish or boat near crocodile traps, and
• Always supervise children
• Remember, you are responsible for your own safety in croc country.

Further information on being Crocwise is available at

http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/wildlife/livingwith/crocodiles/crocodiles__be_croc_wise.html

ENDS

Media contact: Katharine Wright - 0422 580 342