Crocodile captured in Mulgrave River, Far North residents reminded to be Croc Wise

A crocodile measuring around 2.3 metres has been caught in a trap positioned in the Mulgrave River near the Ross and Locke recreation area.

Wildlife officers from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) confirmed the presence of the crocodile at the location, about an hour's drive South of Port Douglas during a spotlight assessment of the river on January 29.

Director Northern Wildlife Lindsay Delzoppo said a baited trap was deployed the following day.

“That section of the Mulgrave River that is mapped as Zone C under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan,” Mr Delzoppo explained.

“In Zone C, any crocodile of two metres in length or larger is targeted for removal from the wild.

“Although the targeted crocodile has been removed from the wild, it is still extremely important that people in the greater Cairns region and beyond continue to be croc wise.

“The Mulgrave River is typical habitat for crocodiles and they will continue to be present in the river.”

Mr Delzoppo said QPWS wildlife officers conducted several assessments along the river after a member of the public reported seeing a crocodile near Fisheries Bridge back on January 9.

“Fisheries bridge is several kilometres upstream of the Ross and Locke recreational area,” he said.

“People in croc country are urged to report all crocodile sightings in a timely manner and wildlife officers investigate every sighting report."