'Heavy-handed and lazy': Outrage after crocodile shot dead at popular tourist beach
WARNING – GRAPHIC CONTENT: A 3.7-metre saltwater crocodile has been shot dead on a popular Western Australia beach, sparking outrage after graphic photos emerged online.
The sizeable croc was spotted at Cable Beach in Broome on Thursday, resulting in the popular swimming spot closed off to the public as rangers attempted to remove it from area according to the Parks and Wildlife service.
Parks and Wildlife Service Kimberley regional manager Craig Olejnik said when their attempts to capture it failed, they were left with the difficult decision to euthanise the animal.
“As Cable Beach is a popular recreation area and estuarine, crocodiles pose a significant threat to public safety, our immediate priority was to capture and remove the crocodile,” Mr Olejnik said in a statement.
“When this proved unsuccessful, we took the difficult decision to euthanise the animal to ensure the safety of residents and visitors to Broome.”
Marine park coordinator Christopher Nutt also supported the actions taken, telling the ABC that the crocodile had approached a man walking his dog down the beach.
“The behaviour it was exhibiting made it very difficult for capture and it was also posing an increased risk to the community and visitors,” Mr Nutt said.
“The ranger that actually dispatched the firearm said it best. He said: ‘I’m not proud that I killed such an animal but I am proud that I did my job well’.”
Social media felt otherwise when images of the slain croc began circulating online.
“Parks and Wildlife Broome, you should be ashamed of yourselves,” WA Crocodile Conservation and Protection Society captioned the images.
“Killing this magnificent crocodile at Entrance Point.
“Guess shooting him is easier than actually trapping him and doing some actual work.”
Followers of the conservation page echoed their disappointment, labelling the government agency’s decision as “heavy handed” and “lazy”.
“This is so wrong,” one woman wrote.
“Why kill the poor croc? Absolutely disgraceful,” another commented.
