Four men snapped swimming in baited croc trap in infested water
Four men have been photographed in Queensland swimming inside a baited crocodile trap in, with one appearing to play a practical joke by locking others inside.
The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection is investigating the incident, which happened in a Cairns river which crocodiles are known to inhabit.
The foolhardy adventure is particularly risky because of recent rainfall and flooding in the area, which attracts more crocodiles and snakes.
The Queensland Department of Environment runs a Crocwise video and information campaign that alert Queenslanders to the dangers of entering crocodile territory.
Fears woman, 79, missing from aged care facility has been taken by a crocodile
Police confirm human remains found inside crocodile during search for missing grandma
"Stay well away from crocodile traps. Crocodile traps are designed to attract hungry crocodiles so avoid fishing and boating near them and never interfere with them," a warning on the department's website reads.
It is illegal to interfere with the operation of a crocodile trap - anyone found guilty of doing so can be fined up to a maximum of $15,000.
The incident comes after Port Douglas resident Anne Cameron went missing in crocodile territory.
The crocodile believed to be responsible for her death was examined in Cairns and found to have digested human remains inside.
After Mrs Cameron's disappearance baited crocodile traps were placed along the Mowbray River in an attempt to capture the crocodile.
