Heartbreak as much loved Daintree Queen 'Lizzie' found deceased near pontoon
HEARTBREAK
In a heartbreaking development the female crocodile known and referred to as the long-time ‘Queen’ of the Daintree river has been found deceased.
Leading Far North croc expert and Solar Whisper tour operator David White alluded to making the sad and grim discovery just hours ago.
‘Lizzie’ as she was known was once the long time partner of Daintree river king ‘Scarface’ before eventually falling down the pecking order in recent years.
Just a short time ago Mr White delivered a moving, heartfelt tribute to ‘Lizzie’.
“It is with a heavy heart, (and) the utmost deepest sadness to tell you all that a (short time ago a) dead croc was found next to our pontoon,” White began.
“All that was left was the spine and the head, we could only see the under jaw. It’s too upsetting to post and it’s not how I want you to remember her…
“The markings on the side of the jaw match up to our beloved ‘Lizzie’.
“I tried desperately to find a scar that wouldn’t match up but unfortunately I cannot. So, I fear the worst and it is the end of our Queen, the end of an era.
“She’s our smallest and darkest girl about 2.7m and was already breeding when I first met her more than two decades ago, so I think she was in her late 40’s, probably older.
“Lizzie was a petite lady but the biggest star and the biggest heart, she is an icon.
“She was here at the start of my career and I thought she would be here to the end.
“She takes a piece of me with her, they say life goes on and it does but it won’t be the same, the river has changed and (has) lost its queen.
“They aren’t just wild animals, they are my friends, my family and I love them dearly and I still can’t believe she’s gone . The only comfort is she died in her home a wild free lady.”
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