Australia Eliminates 16-Foot Crocodile Linked to Second Fatal Attack in a Month
Australian authorities have killed a massive 16-foot crocodile believed to be responsible for the second fatal attack in the country within a month. The tragic incident highlights the growing concerns about crocodile encounters in Australia’s northern regions.
The latest victim, a 40-year-old man from New South Wales, was fishing on Saturday during a family holiday in Queensland, according to police. The man, who was traveling with his wife and children, fell into the Annan River, south of Cooktown, after the riverbank beneath him collapsed. His body has yet to be recovered.
Bart Harrison, a Cooktown resident, described the scene, stating that the steep riverbank gave way, causing the man to plunge more than 20 feet into the crocodile-infested waters. “It’s a dangerous spot to fish,” Harrison remarked. “We grew up seeing crocodiles swimming around there, and I wouldn’t go near the edge. There’s always a big croc or two living there.”
Government conservation officer Daniel Guymer reported that the suspected crocodile, identified by scars on its snout, was located in a creek approximately 2.5 miles from the accident site. Witnesses had spotted the crocodile in an area locals call Crocodile Bend. “Wildlife officers humanely euthanized a large crocodile about 16 feet long, believed to be responsible for this deadly attack,” Guymer told reporters. The distinctive markings on the crocodile’s snout confirmed it as the targeted animal.
This tragedy follows the death of a 12-year-old girl on July 2nd, who was snatched while swimming with her family in a nearby creek in the Northern Territory. Her body was found days later, and the 14-foot crocodile responsible was shot by wildlife rangers.
This marks the third fatal crocodile attack in Australia this year, nearing the highest annual death toll of four recorded in 2014. In another incident, a 16-year-old boy was killed while swimming off a Queensland island on April 18th.
Crocodile expert Brandon Sideleau from Charles Darwin University noted that the river where the latest attack occurred likely hosts at least two large crocodiles, as people have been illegally feeding them roadkill, such as kangaroo carcasses. He explained that crocodiles have learned to associate humans with food.
Crocodile populations have surged across northern Australia’s tropics since these reptiles, which can live up to 70 years, became a protected species under Australian law in the 1970s. However, Sideleau pointed out that there’s little evidence explaining the fluctuations in annual crocodile attack fatalities in Australia, where deaths have been rare in recent decades. He emphasized, “All attacks in Australia are avoidable with proper precautions.”
Authorities are currently investigating a social media video showing a crocodile being fed in the same river. Guymer warned that feeding dangerous wildlife in Queensland is illegal and can result in a fine of nearly AUD 6,500 (USD 4,200). “This is a very, very concerning behavior. It’s incredibly dangerous and reckless,” he added.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with crocodile habitats in Australia, where vigilance and adherence to safety guidelines are crucial to prevent such tragedies.
