Fury over 'unbelievable' stunt weeks after viral crocodile encounter

People continue to be both amazed and frustrated by those willing to approach a well-known Queensland crocodile so closely, without considering the tragedy that could unfold.

A photo emerged this week showing two men in hi-vis shirts standing and walking metres away from the crocodile near Babinda, just weeks after a fisherman was photographed near the same crocodile. One man is seen on his phone on a riverbank, while his companion stood slightly further away.

The picture reportedly surfaced online on Tuesday and many locals slammed the man's "unbelievable" actions for getting so close, fearing it could jeopardise his safety, the crocodile's safety, or force authorities to relocate the animal. It is not known why the men were on the riverbank.

Trend of people choosing to be in close proximity to crocs

The incident is the second of its kind in a month, with a local man fishing on the same riverbank just metres away from the same crocodile. Advocates are worried about the safety of the animal and many ask its exact location isn't revealed .

“He’s a pretty big croc, and he’s not a nuisance, so the last thing I’d want is for anything to happen to him,” told Yahoo News Australia last month.

Several weeks before that sighting, another video emerged of influencers wading into croc territory while angling, with croc expert Tommy Hayes condemning the behaviour.

“What the guy is doing in the video is beyond complacency, it’s f***ing stupidity,” he told Yahoo News when reacting to the fisherman. “Where he’s standing is maybe 10 or 15 metres from the crocodile. I’ve got goosebumps and not the good kind."

“Crocodiles are creatures of habit and they get used to humans. But they don’t trust humans because they’re friendly, they just know humans aren’t going to hurt them, so they’re just waiting on that moment to strike,” he said.

“It’s a natural behaviour caused by unnatural things. But that behaviour isn’t caused by the crocodile, it’s caused by humans.”

• Man 'pried open jaws' of crocodile from his head during snorkelling attack

• Bob Irwin backs tougher penalties for 'idiot' influencers taunting crocodiles

• Aussie's crocodile encounter reveals deadly mistake: 'All over'

How to practise 'crocwise' behaviour, according to Department of Environment and Science

• Obey all warning signs – they are there to keep you safe

• Be aware crocs also swim in the ocean and be extra cautious around water at night

• Stay well away from croc traps – that includes fishing and boating

• The smaller the vessel the greater the risk, so avoid using canoes and kayaks

• Stand back from the water’s edge when fishing and don’t wade in to retrieve a lure

• Camp at least 50 metres from the edge of the water

• Never leave food, fish scraps or bait near water, camp site or boat ramp

• Never provoke, harass, or feed crocs

• Always supervise children near the water and keep pets on a lead.

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