CrocWatch
Report crocodile sightings to the department Hotline 1300 130 372
In case of a crocodile attack ring 000
The Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) regularly receives reports of estuarine (saltwater) crocodile sightings and all reports are taken seriously. All reports are recorded and assessed by DERM staff following a standard procedure with set criteria, including whether a crocodile poses a threat to public safety or could potentially damage private property (e.g. livestock, aquaculture resources). Where this is the case, the animal, or in some circumstances just the unconfirmed report of the animal, will be dealt with as a Crocodile of Concern (see definition at the bottom of this page). This means that it will be targeted for removal from the wild by DERM and taken to either a farm or a zoo, or in some cases humanely euthanased. Only Crocodiles of Concern are listed on CrocWatch and the table below provides details of Crocodiles of Concern to which DERM is currently responding.
A Resolved Sightings page provides information on past crocodile sightings that have been responded to by DERM.
Report No. |
Date Reported |
Location |
Report Details |
Current Response and Advice |
112 |
2 October 2009 |
Mission River, Weipa |
On Wednesday 30 September 2009 a large crocodile swam towards a person fishing on the Rocky Point boat ramp, Weipa. No reported injuries. |
Identified as a crocodile of concern to be targeted for removal. Permanent warning signs already in place. Sighting signs to be erected. Survey of the area to be conducted by DERM staff. |
111 |
2 September 2009 |
Moresby Creek, Barrumundi farm at Mourilyan, South of Innisfail. |
2.7m crocodile sighted on private property |
Identified as a crocodile of concern to be targeted for removal. Located on the same property as Report No. 110, however is a different animal. |
110 |
20 August 2009 |
Private property bordering Moresby Ck which connects to the Mourilyan Harbour area, Martyville, South of Innisfail |
Approx. 2-2.5m crocodile sighted in one of the ponds on the landowners aquaculture facility |
Identified as a crocodile of concern to be targeted for removal. |
109 |
25 August 2009 |
Sheraton Mirage Golf Course, Port Douglas |
2.5m crocodile sighted basking on the muddy banks of waterway |
Identified as a crocodile of concern to be targeted for removal. Sighting signs have been erected. |
103 |
30 June 2009 |
On a private property north of Bluewater, in a segmented water hole of Leichardt Creek |
2m crocodile located in a waterhole used for pumping. |
As a result of further observations, this is no longer considered as a crocodile of concern. Crocodile not sighted for at least 14 days. Trapping program has ceased. |
4 June 2009 |
Private Dam adjacent to Deep Creek, Yabulu, north of Townsville |
2-2.5 crocodile sighted on dam bank in private property |
Identified as a crocodile of concern to be targeted for removal. Sighting signs have been erected. Crocodile not sighted for at least 14 days. |
|
100 |
7 May 2009 |
Water holes on private property linking to Amity Creek, approx. 60km north of Marlborough. |
3m crocodile reported as residing in waterhole. |
Identified as a crocodile of concern. Sighting has been confirmed by DERM. Animal has been targeted for removal. Sighting signs have been erected. |
A crocodile is defined as a 'crocodile of concern' and will be targeted for capture when:
- Any estuarine crocodile is found south of the Boyne River (near Gladstone);
- estuarine crocodile is found north of the Boyne River and displaying the following behaviour:
- has attacked, or is about to attack, or is behaving aggressively towards, a person; or
- the department determines that the nature of the crocodile's location or behaviour makes it a threat or potential threat to human safety or wellbeing; or
- the crocodile has passed a crocodile prevention barrier and has attacked, or is about to attack, or is behaving aggressively towards, stock, working dogs or aquaculture fisheries resources.
- Any crocodiles are greater than two metres in length that occur in defined urban areas (Crocodile Urban Management Areas) unless they were just moving through the area or the area is well-known crocodile habitat. Maps of these Crocodile Urban Management Areas are available for Cairns, Townsville/Thuringowa, Mackay, Rockhampton and Gladstone.
To view past sightings, please follow the link to our Archive page.
Last updated: 02 October 2009