Crocodile Attack Prompts Renewed Safety Warnings for North Queensland
Fresh safety warnings are being issued across North Queensland following a serious crocodile attack that left a man hospitalised. The incident occurred near Victoria Plantation on Tuesday, highlighting the ongoing dangers in the region's waterways.
Victim Hospitalised After Crocodile Encounter
A man in his 20s suffered significant puncture wounds to his hip during the attack and is currently recovering in hospital. Wildlife officers have launched a search for the crocodile involved, with plans to remove the reptile from the area as part of Queensland's active crocodile management program.
Expert Warns of Heightened Danger During Wet Season
Crocodile expert David McMahon, speaking on Sunrise, emphasised that predators are particularly active in this region. "This is a really active area with crocodiles. You've got Hinchinbrook Island just off the coast and a huge mangrove system. This is well and truly within crocodile habitat," McMahon explained.
He specifically warned that the substantial wet season has created especially dangerous conditions. "All that water's pushed right up. This is the time of the year to be especially careful around the water," McMahon cautioned, noting that elevated water levels can bring crocodiles into waterways where they haven't been previously observed.
Crocodile Populations Reach Natural Capacity
The attack has reignited discussions about growing crocodile numbers in Queensland. McMahon stated that populations are approaching their natural limits, requiring Australians to adapt their behaviour. "Crocodiles now are about as many as there will be. They're territorial animals. There's only so much habitat, so much food. We're at a time now we have to learn to live with crocodiles," he said.
While acknowledging that culling remains an option, McMahon noted that Queensland's management program already removes numerous crocodiles from populated areas. "The more we remove, the safer people feel. But that's not always good because you've got to realise that there could be anywhere," he warned, emphasising the unpredictable nature of these predators.
Safety Recommendations for Waterway Users
McMahon stressed that the most effective safety measure is maintaining distance from water, particularly during the wet season. Queensland's crocodile management program focuses on removing reptiles from populated zones while preserving them in more isolated locations away from human activity.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as they work to balance public safety with conservation efforts in North Queensland's challenging environmental conditions.
