Queensland Rangers Search for Rogue Crocodile Spotted at Coonarr Beach
An extensive aerial and sea search has failed to locate a rogue crocodile spotted on a beach in Queensland's Wide Bay region last week.
The reptile was seen at a popular camping and fishing spot at Bundaberg's Coonarr Beach, about 150 kilometres outside normal crocodile habitat.
Senior wildlife officer Tony Frisby, from the Department of Environment and Science, said officers in boats and a helicopter searched a large area of the coastline but did not find the animal.
"We [conducted] over 450km of aerial surveys, land surveys and sea assessments," he said.
Queensland's crocodile country stretches from the state's far north to the Boyne River, south of Gladstone.
Mr Frisby said that was most likely where the crocodile came from.
"North Queensland has been receiving large amounts of rainfall, which may have flushed the animal out of its normal habitat," he said.
"The animal could have got into a current [and] was just very lazy and drifted south."
Under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan, any crocodile found in the Wide Bay region should be targeted for removal.
Wildlife officers believe the crocodile sighted at Coonarr Beach may be travelling north to warmer waters and its normal habitat.
"The animals can move up to 40 kilometres a day," Mr Frisby said.
"We are monitoring for further reports and I'd like to encourage everyone in the Wide Bay community to report whenever they believe they have seen a crocodile to the department."
