Giant croc seen in Mary River near Maryborough (map pics attached)

[GraemeW]

Second trap set for croc

Fraser Coast Chronicle 11th May 2012 6:15 AM

BLUE trawler netting, steel pickets and pieces of fish are the latest weapons unveiled in the battle to catch the shy Mary River crocodile.

The materials were used yesterday afternoon to build a second trap for the croc, after it showed no interest in going near a floating steel cage that was set last week - despite a range of tempting baits, including a pig carcass, chicken and fish.

Department of Environment and Heritage Protection senior wildlife ranger Greg O'Neill said the new trap was laced with fish and would be placed on the bank rather than in the water. "Hopefully he will crawl up out of the water and take the bait, as he has been seen sunning himself on the banks," Mr O'Neill said. "Crocs don't eat very much this time of year as it's coming into the cooler months, so he might not be hungry yet."

Mr O'Neill said the croc was spotted yesterday morning close to the steel trap, so the rangers knew he had not moved on.

If the saltwater estuarine croc is not caught in the next few days, a third trap will be brought down from northern Queensland.

"We're looking at getting another floating trap to move further up the river in case he moves around," Mr O'Neill said.

The 3.5m reptile was spotted by a Tinana fisherman last week - the first crocodile seen south of Gladstone in recent years.



More pics of the croc.

[GraemeW]

ABC Wide Bay team spot Mary River crocodile

11 May, 2012 4:21PM AEST

ABC Wide Bay's Brad Marsellos and Wayne Shearman took a relaxing trip in a tinny on the waters of the Mary River, and look who they ran into.

Whilst there, they managed to come across the Fraser Coast's most sought after reptile, a 3.5 metre saltwater crocodile, affectionately referred to as 'Mary Crocins'.

Wayne Shearman says he and ABC OPEN producer Brad Marsellos photographed the croc about two kilometres downriver from the two traps set up by the Department of Environment and Resource Management.
"There was something on one of the gently sweeping banks on the southern side of the Mary," Wayne said.

"From a safe distance, it looked like a small edge, a mud cliff, then [producer] Brad [Marsellos] said 'that's the crocodile' and all of a sudden its head turned around and we all agreed."

The large saltwater crocodile was first spotted by local fishermen on May 1.

The sighting was well south of the species' normal range, although locals say there have been anecdotal accounts of big crocs in the Mary River and the adjacent Great Sandy Straits for years.

Rangers trying to catch the crocodile near Maryborough say the reptile is showing no interest in the baited traps.

Two traps baited with chicken have been set, after the animal showed no interest in the earlier pork menu that rangers first offered to capture it.



Pic info


1 A close up of the 3.5 metre croc on the banks of the Mary River.

2 An exclusive image of the 3.5 metre crocodile in the Mary River near Maryborough.

3 The 3.5 metre saltwater crocodile about to head into the waters of the Mary River.

4 The saltwater crocodile slides into the waters of the Mary River.

5 One of the two traps set up to catch the rogue reptile.

6 The warning sign on the croc trap in the waters of the Mary River.

7 DERM rangers are hoping the croc will have a taste for fish.

8 Rangers have baited the second trap with pork in a effort to entice the croc.

9 A section of the Mary River, where 'Mary Crocins' now calls home.

10 Wayne Shearman (left) chats with grazier Lindsay Titmarsh on the shore of the Mary River.

11 One last glimpse of 'Mary Crocins' as it makes it's way up the river.

[GraemeW]

Rangers set third trap to catch croc

16 May, 2012 9:29AM AEST


Wildlife rangers will set a third trap in an effort to catch the 3.5 metre saltwater crocodile in the Mary River.

The third addition will be a floating cage, creating a triangle of traps in and on the Mary River.
The large saltwater crocodile was first spotted by local fishermen on May 1. The sighting was well south of the species' normal range; although locals say there have been anecdotal accounts of big crocs in the Mary River and the adjacent Great Sandy Straits for years.
Wildlife operations manager Michael Debry from the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection says the new trap provides another opportunity for the croc to take the bait.
"We've tried two traps; we've had a floating trap in there for over a week and we've more recently put in a gate trap on the bank.
"Our next move is to bring another floating trap which should be on location by about Thursday. That means the traps will be well situated around the area where the crocodile has presented."

Mr Debry says the crocodile may not have an appetite due to the cooler conditions, so adding a third trap is providing another opportunity for the croc to try the bait.
"Being a cold blooded reptile its appetite certainly isn't like to be heightened, and in fact it may have a low level interest in food.
"What we're trying to do is entice it with a range of different baits so it can feel comfortable."

[Si]

Rangers set third trap to catch croc

16 May, 2012 9:29AM AEST


Wildlife rangers will set a third trap in an effort to catch the 3.5 metre saltwater crocodile in the Mary River.

The third addition will be a floating cage, creating a triangle of traps in and on the Mary River.
The large saltwater crocodile was first spotted by local fishermen on May 1. The sighting was well south of the species' normal range; although locals say there have been anecdotal accounts of big crocs in the Mary River and the adjacent Great Sandy Straits for years.
Wildlife operations manager Michael Debry from the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection says the new trap provides another opportunity for the croc to take the bait.
"We've tried two traps; we've had a floating trap in there for over a week and we've more recently put in a gate trap on the bank.
"Our next move is to bring another floating trap which should be on location by about Thursday. That means the traps will be well situated around the area where the crocodile has presented."

Mr Debry says the crocodile may not have an appetite due to the cooler conditions, so adding a third trap is providing another opportunity for the croc to try the bait.
"Being a cold blooded reptile its appetite certainly isn't like to be heightened, and in fact it may have a low level interest in food.
"What we're trying to do is entice it with a range of different baits so it can feel comfortable."

i honestly dont see why they have to remove this croc. its not doing anyone any harm. being nearly winter it may take months before its even interested in food and most likely will move north or die. I say let nature do its thing.

[riddo60]

hi rumy1 i have fished the calliope river for 28 years and yes there are croc's in the river,ive seen several plus big tracks where they have gone ashore, my old mate alix valis who has now passed shot a croc up the top of the river 45 years ago the skull was still on a fence some time back id say its still ther if someone hasent found it,croc's have been seen at the old causeway were heaps of people camp and swim "not me" thats for sure cheers riddo

[GraemeW]

Cold weather stalls 'croc-hunt'

Fraser Coast Chronicle 23rd May 2012 12:30 PM

A CROCODILE lurking on the banks of the Mary River could be in for a reprieve, with wildlife rangers likely to abandon the "croc-hunt" until weather warms up again.

The 3.5 metre saltwater croc was first spotted three weeks ago by a Tinana fisherman - but it has so far avoided the three traps set out to capture it.

"We've had the traps progressively in place since the beginning of May and have baited each with what would normally be very tempting croc food, but the animal has not been interested," Department of Environment and Heritage Protection wildlife director Ashley Bunce said.

"This is not really surprising, as winter approaches cold-blooded animals like crocodiles lose much of their appetite as their metabolism slows.

"We're currently checking these traps daily and re-baiting them when required, but as the air and water temperature becomes colder it becomes increasing unlikely the crocodile will seek the food in our traps."

Dr Bunce said if the crocodile was not caught by Friday, rangers would shut down the traps until warmer weather returned.

But while the croc may be at large throughout the winter, fishermen and boaties should not fear for their safety as it has shown no sign of aggression.

"The department considers the crocodile represents a low risk to human safety at this time, given its behavioural history and the influence the cold weather is having on the animal's activity level," Dr Bunce said.

"Continuing attempts to capture the crocodile by traps, or even by considering other capture methods such as harpooning, is not an effective use of resources in the current circumstances."

The department will also maintain crocodile warning signs at the Beaver Rock boat ramp while the crocodile is believed to be in the area.

As this crocodile was observed south of the Boyne River, near Gladstone, EHP's crocodile management policy required attempts be made to catch it and, if caught, the animal be sent to a crocodile farm or zoo.


Pic info: The 3.5 metre saltwater croc spotted in the Mary River