A 14-year-old boy is recovering in hospital after being attacked by a crocodile while fishing at Myall Beach in Cape Tribulation, far north Queensland, on Saturday afternoon. The teenager sustained wounds to his leg and torso and was in a stable condition as of Monday, according to the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service.
The incident occurred when the boy was fishing in thigh-high water, a spokesperson for the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (Detsi) confirmed. Detsi officers examined the wounds and determined they were consistent with a crocodile attack.
After the attack, the boy was carried along a beach boardwalk that links directly to PK’s Jungle Village, a resort for travelers. Staff and a nurse staying at the property administered first aid. The resort’s general manager, Ashlee Piper, said an ambulance was initially called, but after realizing the severity, triple zero was called again and a helicopter was dispatched.
Detsi officers launched a search of the area using drones and a boat spotlight but found no sign of the crocodile. The department will continue to monitor the area and has installed additional crocodile warning signage, supplementing permanent signs at all beach access points.
October marks the start of the annual crocodile breeding season in the region. Detsi’s website warns that male crocodiles “become especially sassy when looking for a mate” during this period, potentially increasing risk. There have been four crocodile sightings around Cape Tribulation in the past month, with the most recent near Mason Creek on October 22.
The Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) chief executive, Natassia Wheeler, emphasized that crocodiles are an important part of the ecosystem and that the tourism industry encourages visitors to be educated about wildlife risks. Piper echoed this, noting that the area is “croc country” and that the incident was unfortunate for a young boy who may not have understood the risks.
