No signs of Mary River crocodile

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No signs of Mary River crocodile

4 May 2012 - DERM Qld

An overnight survey and a morning check of a trap set for the Mary River crocodile has revealed no signs of the animal and raises the possibility that animal has moved on.

Department of Environment and Heritage Protection Wildlife Director Ashley Bunce said a comprehensive spotlight survey was conducted last night but revealed no evidence of the crocodile.

"The crocodile trap was also empty when we checked at 7.00 o'clock this morning.

"Wildlife rangers conducted a spotlight survey of the Mary River from 9.00 o'clock to midnight last night, travelling 6km upstream from the trap and 3km downstream back to Beaver Rock boat ramp and saw no evidence of a crocodile," Dr Bunce said.

Dr Bunce said a further daylight vessel survey would be conducted today from Beaver Rock boat ramp downstream towards to mouth of the Mary River.

"We will also continue the trapping program over each day of the coming long weekend with trap checking occurring each morning and afternoon."

The estimated 3.5m crocodile was seen by a commercial fisher and reported to the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection on 30 April 2012.

It was a rare sighting of a crocodile south of the Boyne River, near Gladstone.

Under Queensland's crocodile management policies, crocodiles captured south of the Boyne River will be relocated to a crocodile farm or zoo.

Dr Bunce reiterated that members of the public not involved in the search for the crocodile should avoid the area.

However, should anyone see any evidence of a crocodile in the Mary River area they should report it to the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection on 1300 130 372.

Recent crocodile sighting signs will remain in place at the Beaver Rock boat ramp.

Dr Bunce said that in areas where crocodiles have been seen, the public should:

    Obey crocodile warning signs
    Never swim in water where crocodiles may live
    Never stand in the water's edge or on an overhanging log, stand a few meters back for fishing or cast netting
    Never provoke, harass or feed crocodiles
    Never leave food scraps, fish frames or bait on the water's edge, near a camp site or boat ramp as this may attract crocs to the area
    Always supervise children.

Crocodile sightings can be reported at any time to the department.