Crocodile death sparks calls for $12,900 fine to combat 'dangerous' act encouraging attacks

People who feed crocodiles or bait them for social media clicks could soon be hit with new penalties. Yahoo News can confirm discussions between environment groups and the government have escalated after footage emerged showing the animal responsible for a fatal attack in Cooktown being recently fed an esky full of fish.

The Queensland Government is being urged to lift penalties above the maximum of $6,452, to match fines for feeding dingoes on K’gari which sit at $12,904. But more importantly conservationists want a crackdown on “reckless acts” that encourage aggressive behaviour from crocodiles.

"They need more power, they need more staff to be able to actually protect people. This is a public safety issue, a whole of community issue," the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) managing North Queensland lawyer Kirstiana Ward told Yahoo News.

“My heart breaks for [victim David Hogbin’s] family in NSW. This gentleman did nothing wrong. He came to Far North Queensland with his family to enjoy a wildlife experience. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“He became a victim of an awful crocodile interaction. It may have been mitigated had other people not flagrantly been feeding him and habituating him to that place.”

You can read more about the problem here:

• Irwin backs tougher penalties for 'idiot' influencers taunting crocs

• Fury over fisherman's dangerous social media crocodile stunt

• Disturbing video of wild crocodile stunt prompts warning over 'dumb' Aussie trend

Regular feeding of crocodiles linked to aggression

Feeding crocodiles makes them lose their fear of humans and associate them with food. The illegal practice can lead to large males waiting in ambush around an area they are regularly fed, creating a dangerous situation for unsuspecting tourists who don't know the area.

Queensland’s Department of Environment (DESI) has been made aware of claims the animal that attacked and killed NSW father of three David Hogbin had been fed by fishermen for years.

But the EDO, advocacy group Community Representation of Crocodiles [CROC] and Traditional Owners have been urging the government for over a year to toughen penalties for those who engage in behaviour that puts the lives of humans and animals at risk.

Following Saturday’s fatal attack, Ward spoke with DESI’s head of policy. She believes DESI is open to stopping the problem of reckless behaviour around crocodiles.

In a statement to Yahoo News DESI confirmed it is considering updating its regulations. “The Department is investigating potential changes to regulations to further deter people from activities that increase the risk of human-crocodile interactions in Croc Country.”

It has previously advocated for community education over harsh penalties. But a spokesperson has conceded its "frustrated" by illegal behaviour around crocodiles.

"Wildlife officers... work hard to educate people about being Crocwise in Croc Country," it said.

"It is frustrating when people take unnecessary, life-threatening risks in known crocodile habitat by unlawfully feeding, approaching or interacting with estuarine crocodiles."

Call for Indigenous rangers to manage crocodile populations

Along with increased penalties and monitoring, Ward wants to see CCTV and fences placed in areas where large crocodiles are known to be fed. She also advocates for allowing Indigenous communities to help make decisions around the management crocodiles on their own country.

She argues simply killing large male crocodiles does not improve public safety. When a large male crocodile is shot by authorities, it simply creates a power vacuum where younger males fight for dominance.

A GoFundMe appeal has raised more than $90,000 to help Dr Hogbin's family.

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