A ranger has spotted a crocodile in front of a camping area at a popular 4WD destination less than 100km from the Sunshine Coast.
Wildlife officers are investigating after the estimated 2m reptile was seen on the beach in front of the Sarawak camping area at Inskip Point, near Rainbow Beach.
A ranger observed the croc on the beach and watched it flee into the ocean on Monday, February 3.
The ranger took photos of the crocodile’s body imprint on the sand, it’s claw marks and marks made by its sliding tail.
It’s believed to be the first confirmed crocodile sighting that far south since 2014. Crocodiles are generally seen north of Gladstone.
Senior wildlife officer Joshua Morris said it was likely to be the same croc recently videoed on Coonarr Beach, near Bundaberg.
“Rangers will be notifying people in camping areas in the Inskip Point region and wildlife officers will install recent crocodile sight warning signs,” he said.
“People in the area are urged to be vigilant around the water, keep their children close and use an esky or similar as a barrier while fishing.
“As part of our investigation, we will conduct ground patrols, vessel-based searches and use drones to check the surrounding coastline.
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“We are asking people in the Rainbow Beach region, including boaties, to make a sighting report if they see what they believe to be a crocodile.
“Each sighting report is important and provides us with information about the location and behaviour of crocodiles.
“Under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan, Rainbow Beach is atypical crocodile habitat, and we will target this crocodile for removal from the wild if it is located.
“We can reassure the public that this crocodile is considered to be a vagrant animal that has moved into the area from up north, and this sighting does not mean the crocodile population is extending south.”
In 2013 and 2014, two large crocodiles were removed from the Mary River. They remain the last estuarine crocodiles confirmed seen outside of Croc Country, near the southern end of their range.
Crocodile sightings can be reported by using the QWildlife app, completing a crocodile sighting report on the DETSI website, or by calling 1300 130 372. The department investigates every crocodile sighting report received.
