Giant croc seen in Mary River
WILDLIFE rangers will today try to capture a large crocodile seen in the Mary River near Maryborough.
Environment and Heritage Protection Minister Andrew Powell yesterday confirmed rangers were preparing to capture the 3.5 metre saltwater crocodile reported to the department by a commercial fisherman on Tuesday.
"The crocodile was sighted on a mudbank about two kilometres from Beaver Rock boat ramp, opposite Bros Island," Mr Powell said.
Rangers yesterday confirmed the presence of the crocodile and made arrangements for a trap to be set in the Mary River this morning.
"In line with the crocodile management policy, any crocodile caught south of the Boyne River (near Gladstone) will be targeted for removal and relocated to a crocodile farm or zoo.
"Although there have been a number of anecdotal reports of crocodiles sighted in the Great Sandy Straits and Mary River over recent years, this is the first confirmed sighting.
"I'm advised that the area where the crocodile was seen is well upstream from where anyone would be likely to go swimming, but it would be used by people fishing, catching prawns and pumping worms and yabbies," Mr Powell said.
"Although this is a rare sighting of a saltwater crocodile this far south, people need to be sensible and stay away from the area."
