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

  1. #16
    Even without climate change it's always seemed to me that their range could be much bigger.

    I don't know if the Beenleigh croc farm still exists but I am under the impression that they kept them in unheated ponds.

    I could be wrong about that but if I am right then it kind of proves they can survive down in SEQ.

    Once we all stopped shooting them they presumably will keep growing in numbers till they are at pre colonial numbers.

    I know two facts that support my thinking that they will eventually range down here to Brisbane.

    Firstly they can swim big distances. A decade or two ago there were two very surprised fishos 25 klms off Mackay who looked down into the blue ocean beside their tinnie and saw a big croc longer than their boat. So they can travel. (after all they make good suitcases)

    Next is the fact that as population rises the males fight for territory and the losers get on the move looking for a new territory.

    When I first drove my 4wd down here in SEQ it was a real pleasure to be able to walk a water crossing first for depth without having to worry about being eaten.

    I might be daft but I reckon my kids might live to see them one day in Oxley Creek.

  2. #17

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

    Quote Originally Posted by WalrusLike View Post
    Even without climate change it's always seemed to me that their range could be much bigger.

    I don't know if the Beenleigh croc farm still exists but I am under the impression that they kept them in unheated ponds.

    I could be wrong about that but if I am right then it kind of proves they can survive down in SEQ.

    Once we all stopped shooting them they presumably will keep growing in numbers till they are at pre colonial numbers.

    I know two facts that support my thinking that they will eventually range down here to Brisbane.

    Firstly they can swim big distances. A decade or two ago there were two very surprised fishos 25 klms off Mackay who looked down into the blue ocean beside their tinnie and saw a big croc longer than their boat. So they can travel. (after all they make good suitcases)

    Next is the fact that as population rises the males fight for territory and the losers get on the move looking for a new territory.

    When I first drove my 4wd down here in SEQ it was a real pleasure to be able to walk a water crossing first for depth without having to worry about being eaten.

    I might be daft but I reckon my kids might live to see them one day in Oxley Creek.
    They used to inhabit SEQ in limited numbers but were shot out a long long time ago. A bit of research on Google may reinforce my statement, fairly sure there are pictures of one shot in the Logan river?

  3. #18

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

    So would 1770 be regarded as within their known range? For instance would you risk using a drag net there.??

  4. #19

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

    I find this really interesting.

    I get excited when I hear of southern barra catches in the Noosa and further south and now a confirmed sighting with pics.

    I reckon anywhere you can catch a Barra, a croc could also be found there as conditions such as water temps, food sources etc would be within similar requirements. Not to mention the flooding of many catchments over the past couple of years giving an opportunity of easier movements. Maybe a few have followed the barra migration that have headed south from the dam overflows?

  5. #20

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

    Quote Originally Posted by rando View Post
    So would 1770 be regarded as within their known range? For instance would you risk using a drag net there.??
    Locals will tell you big lizards have been spotted there.

    I have visited the place very regularly since 1979 and not seen one, doesn't mean they are not there.

    Could easily have a home up Jenny Linde, Middle, Eurimbula , Pancake and Round Hill creeks. Wouldn't surprize me to know they were down the Baffle either.

    I have traveresed Deep Water creek to the south of 1770 and it does look " Pre-historic " , never noticed big grinning lizards.

    I used to water ski in Round Hill creek, until they made it a 6 knot zone.


    Never considered Crocs, only shark and stone fish.


    cheers LP
    Kingfisher Painting Solutions:- Domestic and Commercial.

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  6. #21

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

    Quote Originally Posted by rando View Post
    So would 1770 be regarded as within their known range? For instance would you risk using a drag net there.??
    I used to use a drag net around Townsville, had more problems with sharks then crocs, everything that we do has somesort of inherent risk, I would be more worried about drowning in my boat then getting taken by a croc. Having said that, swimming around the boat ramps in the bohle or burdekin river might not be a real good idea.
    Don’t take life too seriously, It isn’t permanent

  7. #22

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

    Here is a pic of the one that was shot in the Logan river back in 1905.

    images.jpg
    Cheers Axl

  8. #23

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

    Report from todays Fraser Coast Chronicle.

    The croc rumour is real

    3rd May 2012 2:00 AM

    A PIECE of pork and a 5m aluminium trap may be the key to capturing a giant crocodile spotted in the Mary River, with rangers carrying out torch-light patrols overnight in a bid to find the beast.

    Officers from the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection have been scouring the riverbanks near Beaver Rock since the 3.5m saltwater croc was reported by a fisherman on Monday.

    It was photographed the next day by rangers, making it the first confirmed sighting this far south.

    But Department of Environment and Heritage Protection wildlife operations manager Adam Northam said the reptile seemed shy after all the attention he had received.

    "This croc has not displayed any aggressive behaviour towards boats or vehicles," he said.

    "He's just minding his own business.

    "We haven't seen it since Tuesday so he might have been startled and left the area."

    The mangroves lining the Mary River would be classic croc country if they were further north but, despite unconfirmed reports, Mr Northam said it was the first time government officials had managed to get photographic evidence of crocodiles in the region.

    "We carry out annual surveys and we've never had one recorded here before," Mr Northam said.

    "The fact that there is now one confirmed is proof that they can, do and will turn up here."

    He was hopeful the estuarine saltwater crocodile could be caught within days, after a tripwire trap was baited with meat to lure it in.

    Although there would be teams of rangers patrolling the river both day and night in hope of spotting the snapper again, Mr Northam urged sightseers to stay away from the animal if they saw it.

    "We don't want people to harass it, we want it to feel comfortable so he will come out and eat the bait," he said.

    Mr Northam said the crocodile's appearance was unlikely to be related to the floods, although some local fishermen believed there might be a connection.

    "We can't tell if it's a large female or a young male and it's hard to say how long it has been here but it's probably only been a short time," he said.

    "They move up and down the coast and he probably was just passing through, lost his way a little and ended up here."
    Attached Images Attached Images

  9. #24

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

    Fraser Coast Chronicle report

    Fisherman shocked

    3rd May 2012 5:43 AM

    IN HIS 30-year career as a commercial fisherman, Kevin Greenhalgh has heard plenty of tall tales and shared a few of his own.

    But when the Tinana man spotted a massive croc on the banks of the Mary River, it was not just another whopper.

    Mr Greenhalgh said he was shocked after coming across the crocodile when taking his boat down the river near Brothers Island at Beaver Rock on Monday.

    "He was just sunning himself on the bank - a creature that size doesn't move that quickly," he said.

    "He didn't see me or smell me at first because the wind was blowing the other way.

    "When he saw me looking at him, he just slipped into the water and I never saw him again."

    Mr Greenhalgh might have been tempted to think the 3.5m reptile was just a figment of his imagination, except for a few tell-tale signs.

    "He left marks on the mud; the indentations where his claws went into the mud were pretty deep," he said.

    Despite the fuss, Mr Greenhalgh said this croc was just a "new kid on the block" and it would not be alone.

    He said he'd heard numerous accounts from fishermen who had spotted crocs in the river and Sandy Strait and once he even discovered what he believed to be a crocodile nest near River Heads.

    "I saw another croc in the river about 10 years ago, around Copenhagen Bend, but he was nowhere as big as this fella," he said.

    "The other one was maybe 1.5m but this one was much bigger than that."

    Alert to the danger of the croc's snapping jaws, Mr Greenhalgh was concerned for the safety of people using Beaver Rock boat ramp.

    "I thought I should alert the authorities because a lot of people muck around on the river and camp at the boat ramp with young children," he said.

    "With a thing that size, it's possible he could take a child. I won't be standing in the water near the boat ramp, that's for sure."
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  10. #25

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

    Crocs in the river is old news

    3rd May 2012 5:44 AM

    THE myth of Maryborough's mysterious Mary River crocodile grew some legs yesterday, after a large crocodile was officially sighted on the banks of the river.

    While tall tales of the scaly creatures have been spread throughout the region in the past 100 years, only two crocodiles have been officially sighted.

    The Mary River was believed to be croc-free until July 3, 1947 when Mervyn Golenstein shot a crocodile in the river near Dundathu.

    Measuring a whopping 10ft 5inches (3.2m), the large croc became the first official sighting of the dangerous species in the area.

    In 1964, a large female crocodile measuring 11ft 1inch (3.4m) was shot by Jim Greemsill and Mr Reinekka, in the Mary River near Tiaro.

    The skin of the large reptile was donated to Bauple's Museum and remains on show.

    Bauple museum member Lillian Coyne said the dead crocodile confirmed people's suspicions that the river could have crocodiles.

    "No one really believed that crocodiles would live this far down the coast, but this confirmed it," she said.

    While the rumour mill in Maryborough has run wild with crocodile stories in the past, Fraser Coast fishermen believed crocodiles had inhabited the river system for years.

    One Maryborough fisherman, who asked not to be named, said he had seen small crocodile slides on the riverbank for years.

    "There are small slides along the riverbank that can be seen at low tide," he said. "I've also heard reports of baby crocodiles drifting in the water too."


    Pic info: A 10ft 5inch long crocodile was shot in the Mary River near Dundathu in 1947
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  11. #26

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

    I was fishing and crabbing in Kauri creek before easter and had a little chuckle when i saw a "beware of crocodiles" sign, when i saw those pics on the news, I soon lost that smile! Just treat the area as if they might be there and keep your eyes open, people have lived around crocs for a long time. Its saltwater, its mangrove lined creeks and its Queensland, got to love it!!

  12. #27

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

    These reporters baffle me first reports were of a GIANT croc now they are saying large female or small male, No word of giant any where.
    They are stating that its the first sighting of a croc this far south however there are photos claiming otherwise.
    As they say never let the truth get in the way of a good story, i no longer see news companies as a way to get facts more an entertainment piece.
    The croc in question needs a couple of meters added to it before it should have ever been deemed as GIANT. and 1 croc in a river system, hold on people we are all going to get eaten. reporters...bunch of muppets making thing worse than they actually are. must of been a slow week up north all the action was on the Gold coast and Sydney...

  13. #28

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

    Crocs of the Mary

    Fraser Coast Chronicle 4th May 2012 10:19 AM

    THE chase for the Mary River crocodile has barely caused a ripple in the ranks of the professional fishermen that farm the upper reaches of the river each and every day.

    But while they are not expressing any concerns about their safety, they aren't complaining that Parks and Wildlife officers are trying to trap the croc and relocate it elsewhere.

    Adrian Nowitzke is a fourth-generation Mary River fisherman and he said sightings of crocs in the river came along every 10 years or so.

    "When we were kids we'd set out traps and lines with the hope of catching a crocodile but we weren't Steve Irwin and we never came close," he said.

    "A few years ago I actually ran over a big one in the river near Mudlow Creek but other than that I haven't seen any and I've been putting nets in the river all my life.

    "While I say I haven't seen any others, I have seen their prints in the mud on the banks and I'd rather have any big ones taken elsewhere than left to get bigger. If they stay here someone will eventually get hurt."

    The recent sighting has brought to life all the croc stories the Mary has to offer.

    Those reflect that Yankee Jack's Creek has long been known to have a resident croc, fishermen have pulled up small baby crocs in their crab pots for more than 100 years, Stewart Island residents lost a number of dogs to crocs some years ago and in 1999, a fisherman actually had one estimated at more than 3m tangled in his net for 15 minutes before it thrashed its way free.

    That fisherman was Garry Whittaker and he was keen to recall his crocodile experience when he pulled into the Beaver Rock boat ramp yesterday.

    "I had the net set across from the river near the meatworks when it exploded and started twisting madly," he said.

    "The croc had a big barramundi in its mouth and was thrashing around rolling over and over making the net almost a single line.

    "The guys on the wharf saw what was happening and yelled out and asked if I was all right.

    "I wasn't too keen to pull the net aboard and I was far from upset when he smashed its way out of it."

    Like Adrian Nowitzke, he was also supportive that the latest croc would be taken away, although he didn't have any fear about it being in his backyard.

    "I have been a little more careful standing in the water at the boat ramp since I heard about it and probably might refrain from taking a dip on a hot day until this one disappears," Garry said.


    Pic info: The crowd gathered to see the big saltwater croc that was hunted down and killed in 1964 in the Mary River.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  14. #29

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

    Mystery salty leaves bait in trap

    Fraser Coast Chronicle 4th May 2012


    MARY River's mysterious crocodile has proved to be an elusive character, with not even a nibble on the bait set out to catch the 3.5 metre reptile.
    Despite several patrols in search of the estuarine saltwater croc, rangers yesterday reported the trap remained empty yesterday afternoon.

    Another team of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) wildlife rangers set out for a torch-lit search as the Chronicle went to print yesterday, in hope the crocodile would be spotted hunting in the night.

    However, the rangers remain hopeful the croc will be lured in by the scent of his favourite food - raw pork.

    The meat was chosen because the crocodile is believed to be snacking on feral pigs that live in the mangroves, so he will be used to the taste.

    "We've baited the trap with a portion of a pig's carcass, the smell of which should attract the crocodile as it's a favourite food for these animals," Department of Environment and Heritage Protection Wildlife director Dr Ashley Bunce said.

    Tinana fisherman Kevin Greenhalgh spotted the beast sunning itself on the banks of the Mary River on Monday, sparking a national croc-spotting frenzy.

    But sight-seers have been asked to stay away from the region in case the animal is scared away before it can be caught - and also for their own safety.

    "When we observed the crocodile basking on the riverbank it displayed no signs of aggression and, indeed, re-entered the water when approached," Dr Bunce said.

    "The colder weather coming into winter should make locations this far south less attractive to the crocodile and it may leave of its own volition in the course of the trapping program. However we advise all members of the public not involved in the animal's capture to stay away from the location for the time being."

    When caught, the crocodile will be assessed for relocation to a farm or zoo.

    Pic info: Pig bait set by EHP wildlife rangers failed to lure the huge saltwater croc, first spotted in the Mary River a few days ago.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  15. #30

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

    That's not a big croc, says me with my 12 ft canoe...
    A mate sent me this yesterday, it's Africa.
    Near a Village on the Niger River.
    6.7 m (22 feet long), 1,133 kg(2500 pounds).

    randell
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