Disturbing video emerges after dad taken by crocodile in front of family: 'It's illegal'
As the search for the missing father continues around Cooktown, Yahoo News has acquired footage that may shed some light on why the tragic incident occurred.
Footage has emerged showing a large saltwater crocodile being fed huge amounts of fish at a bend in a river where a man was attacked, and likely killed, on the weekend. The victim was visiting the Far North Queensland river with family, including children, who saw the attack.
The man who witnessed the crocodile being fed two weeks earlier, told Yahoo News the apparent loss of life at the site was "terrible". "There's obviously a croc just waiting down there for someone to fall in," he added.
His video shows an entire esky full of fish frames being thrown into Annan River at Cooktown north of Cairns. The large dominant male that is believed to be responsible for Saturday’s attack then emerges from the water multiple times to claim a free feed. “Is that the big one?” someone asks in awe at its size.
The man who shared his footage has asked not to be identified. He said the crocodile appeared comfortable with humans, and there were signs he was regularly fed.
“There were multiple people there. There’s another family fishing, and a guy just walked up and emptied a whole esky full, and then drove around the corner and emptied more around the corner,” he said. “We were down there earlier in the day and there was a rotten, stinking mess down there, and a croc just hanging around.”
How long have people been feeding the crocodile?
Crocodile expert Tommy Hayes last visited the area two years ago and saw the dominant male being fed then too. Located just 200 metres off the main road it was once a spot only known by locals, but now it’s featured on an online travel site as a popular place to see crocodiles.
“People have definitely been feeding him and he has no fear. It’s so deep on that bend. He just sits there, watches, and waits,” he told Yahoo News. “People aren’t being evil when they feed crocodiles, it’s from an innocent place. And it’s cool having an interaction with a big thing that eats meat.
“But it doesn’t make it okay. It’s illegal. And it ends up bad for the crocodile who gets shot, and the person who gets eaten.”
The video of the crocodile being fed has sparked a warning from multiple advocates that the practice can result in crocodiles becoming comfortable around people and aggressive. This not only results in humans getting injured, but crocodiles deemed to be dangerous are also euthanised.
“Unfortunately people think it's still okay to feed them, please don't — there is consequences,” crocodile advocate Paul Bowen, who runs the emerging Croc Conscious YouTube, Facebook and Instagram accounts, said.
“People need to report feedings and illegal interference and I do hope and pray that the law will be tougher on people interfering with one of the largest reptiles on the planet.”
More on dangerous crocodile behaviour
Fury over fisherman's dangerous social media crocodile stunt
Disturbing video of wild crocodile stunt prompts warning over 'dumb' Aussie trend
Why is it bad to feed crocodiles?
On Monday, the department of environment (DESI) confirmed its officers were conducting intensive surveys of the Annan River today by vessel and with the use of drones. “Wildlife officers are also assisting police in a search of the river by helicopter,” it added.
Queensland’s department of environment (DESI) confirmed with Yahoo News it is aware of reports that crocodiles in the Annan River have been fed.
“People are responsible for their own safety in croc country, and we’re asking people to make sensible croc choices around the water. That means never deliberately feeding crocodiles or giving them easy access to food,” a DESI spokesperson said.
“Crocodiles have been around for millions of years and they can sort their own food. They have a highly developed sense of smell, allowing them to detect prey or animal carcasses on the land or in the water from vast distances.
“Crocodiles will quickly get accustomed to free food and will start approaching people and may start behaving aggressively.”
It urged anyone with information about the deliberate feeding of crocodiles anywhere in Queensland to call 1300 130 372 and report the information. Reports can be made anonymously.
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