WATCH: Huge crocodile spotted in popular swimming spot
A large crocodile has been spotted cruising past a popular swimming area in Townsville, in Queensland's north.
The reptile was seen on Tuesday morning at about 10 o'clock at The Strand, but did not stay in the area for long.
Lifeguards erected warning signs quickly, however there were no swimmers in the water at the time as the beaches had already been closed due to a morning lightning storm.
Ashleigh Adams from Surf Life Saving Queensland told 7News, "We had no one in the water which is great to see because we did close the beach and we made sure no one is in danger."
Ms Adams said the animal may have been relocating as it is mating season.
The last sighting of a crocodile was just prior to Christmas, but it is believed the previous visitor to the area was smaller than the one that appeared today.
Cordelia Hough, who shared footage taken from Kissing Point to the Townsville Snake Catchers Facebook page, said the reptile was moving from Pallarenda to The Strand.
Ms Hough told Storyful, “It’s nice to just give people the heads up so people and dog walkers can get out of the croc’s habitat and let it move on without any incidences.”
A fisherman named Eugene Dryden also saw the reptile and told 7News that the croc was quite big and was probably close to three metres long.
"Never seen anything like it here. I heard a lot about them, people do say they see them but," Mr Dryden said.
Locals are aware they share the water with other creatures and keep an eye out even if they haven't spotted one first hand.
