In addition to a cyclone, record-breaking floods, power outages, and water shortages, north Queensland communities are also facing the presence of crocodiles in unexpected places.
On Monday, ABC reporter Chloe Chomicki captured video footage of a crocodile in a drain in Ingham. Crocodiles have also been spotted in the Indigenous community of Wujal Wujal, where nine people sought refuge on the roof of the local hospital.
Peak Aussie content here 🐊 A big crocodile has been spotted in a swollen drain in the center of Ingham, a North Queensland town currently cut off by floodwaters. Filmed by @abcnews reporter @ChloeChomicki, who is isolated like everyone else in town. pic.twitter.com/LSg5ODkpIF
— Siobhan Heanue (@siobhanheanue) December 17, 2023
Wildlife officers reviewed social media footage of a 2.5-meter saltwater crocodile resting in floodwaters in the middle of town before capturing it with a harpoon, according to senior wildlife officer Tony Frisby.
Harpoons are used because they hook into the animal’s skin without causing harm.
A saltwater crocodile was captured after being spotted swimming in floodwaters in Ingham on Monday. Photograph: QFES
“Using a harpoon is a direct method of capture and takes a lot of skill and experience to get close enough to the crocodile before the animal submerges,” Frisby said.
“It was a fantastic effort by wildlife officers to remove the animal by harpoon without needing to set a trap.”
Frisby emphasized that this incident serves as a timely reminder that weather events can displace crocodiles, causing them to appear in unusual areas.
The captured crocodile is expected to be taken to a holding facility until the floodwaters recede.
Dallas Walker, a resident of Wujal Wujal, described the entire community as being submerged in dirty water and debris due to overflow from the Bloomfield River. She also mentioned the presence of crocodiles in the flooded waters.
<img alt="A crocodile being wrangled from flood waters in Ingham, north Queensland. Heavy rains and floods have hit the state after Cyclone Jasper.” src=”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/e780a2502fc666299657be7ac36f6a939f0029c0/2_0_5998_3599/master/5998.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none” width=”445″ height=”267.0148382794265″ loading=”lazy” class=”dcr-evn1e9″>A crocodile being wrangled from flood waters in Ingham, north Queensland. Heavy rains and floods have hit the state after Cyclone Jasper. Photograph: Courtesy of Jonty Fratus/AFP/Getty Images
Kiley Hanslow, CEO of Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire council, reported that crocodiles were swimming through the main street of the town. Several communities in the neighboring Douglas Shire council are also experiencing flooding.
“When the water gets as high as it is, there is a risk of crocodiles moving,” Hanslow said. “So there is a high risk to people when walking through water.”
Associate professor Sally Isberg, from the Center for Crocodile Research, explained that crocodiles try to avoid floodwaters and prefer clear and calm water.
“Just like humans can get swept out to sea in rip tides or get injured going down rapids, crocodiles also seek calmer waters during turbid conditions caused by floods,” she said.
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2023-12-18 01:16:38
Article from www.theguardian.com