Big Croc triggers public warning

A 5m crocodile cruising Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas, on Wednesday morning, less than a week after a dawn sighting of a croc on the water’s edge, has triggered a warning from the Australian Lifeguard Service to be Crocwise.

Described by onlookers, including a local beach hire operator, as “the biggest ever” they had seen off the hugely popular beach, the croc shut the beach down for more than five hours as it slowly cruised from near the flagged beach area south, sitting as close as 30m from the shoreline.

On duty lifeguards tracked the croc and kept swimmers and sailors out of the water, but were stretched to get the message down the length of the beach at the peak late morning timing of the sighting.

“We’ve done our best to warn people but it is a worry that some don’t understand or choose to ignore that advice,’’ Lifeguard Arjan Wynbearg said.

“In some cases, they are simply not aware of the danger. It is not something they have experienced before.’’

Lifeguard Supervisor North Queensland Dee Westland said at least the Lifeguard team were on duty to spot and track the large croc on Wednesday and alert the public, also requesting Newsport to spread the word with urgency.

“Our Lifeguards were approached by a very concerned member of the public when they came on duty at 9am on Friday, September 27,’’ Ms Westland said.

“She had footage, taken that day just before 6am, of a 2.5 to 3m crocodile swimming just off shore - about 2m - in front of the Lifeguard hut heading south.

“Her worry was amplified by the fact that people were going in for a swim, not noticing the danger present in the water, which of course is very alarming,’’ Ms Westland said.

She said that while crocs are opportunistic predators, preferring to hunt in rivers and around rocks rather than in open water and will more than likely just be travelling from one place to another when in open water, this does not make them any less dangerous.

“A couple of things should know about crocs are that they are most active at dusk and dawn and they will be more active from September to April,’’ she said.

“The water has warmed up and it coincides with breeding season.’’

If a croc sighting is confirmed, the Lifeguards/Lifesavers will close the beach for a period of 4 hours from the last sighting and signs will be posted in the area for 7 days after to inform the public of the recent sighting.

The Jones family from Sydney said they were up to speed on being crocwise. 

“I learnt just a little bit that I was told as a kid coming up this way,’’ Ben Jones said.

“I’d just get away from one if I saw one.

“You can’t argue with stupid,’’ wife, Jess, said.

“It’s pretty obvious… keep your distance, give it its space and it will keep moving.’’

Also capturing attention, and raising concerns on Wednesday morning, was the discovery of a sea snake on the beach. Alerted to it, the snake was captured and kept safe to be released later in the day away from swimmers.

How to stay safe at the beach:

 - Swim only between the flags at patrolled beaches during patrol hours.

 - Do not swim at Dusk and Dawn

 - Pay attention to signs and flags when coming to the beach. Red flags flying mean no swimming.

 - If walking on the beach at dusk or dawn, stay away from the water's edge.

 - Speak to the Lifeguard on duty if you have any concerns or questions.

If you see a croc report it. Call 1300 130 372, scan the QR code on the lifeguard tower, download the QWildlife app which also allows you to view any recent sightings in your area, or talk to the Lifeguard on duty.