Outrage as young people ignore Aussie rule at notorious creek: 'Stupid'
Locals are growing frustrated with the reckless behaviour from people ignoring warning signs in the area.
A group has been called out by locals over their "stupid" waterside act, having been snapped frolicking near the water's edge of a notorious stretch of creek known for its large population of saltwater crocodiles.
A local man witnessed the four standing in and near the water of Myall Creek at Cape Tribulation in northeast Queensland "for some time". He said there was a four-metre crocodile around the corner sitting on a sandbank, and there are signs everywhere warning people.
The reckless behaviour comes in the wake of fatal croc attacks in the state with a group of tourists called out for fishing in the same creek in August. Local man Mark Dendaool told Yahoo News in August about the location and was dumbfounded people would continue to ignore the signs dotted throughout the area.
That month a 40-year-old father was fishing with his family in Cooktown, just 100km north, when he fell into the water and failed to resurface. "Human remains" were later found inside a local croc leading to it being killed.
Calls to 'educate more people' to be croc wise
After witnessing the latest stunt at Cape Tribulation, the local man took to Facebook to "educate more people" on the dangers of disregarding the known rules. "It’s common sense that crocs are everywhere in the north of Australia," he said. "Humans have a brain. They can use them".
He implied he's seen it a lot in recent months — too many times to count. Those who ignore signs and verbal warnings from others when visiting crocodile habitats were previously branded as “arrogant” and “entitled” by croc expert Tommy Hayes.
"For some reason [in] Far North Queensland people just flat out ignore the warning signs and then cry poor me when something happens," he said.
Area known for large crocodiles
Cape Tribulation is situated in the Daintree Rainforest where many crocodiles are known to reside. The first piece of advice listed on the local authority's website is to 'always obey crocodile warning signs' and visitors are advised to stand back a few metres from the water's edge.
Neither of these pieces of advice appeared to be followed in this instance.
Mature male Daintree River crocodiles in the area can reach lengths of up to six metres (20 feet) or more, while females generally grow to around 3.5 metres (11.5 feet). "These are wild animals — adhering to safety guidelines and maintaining a safe distance during encounters is crucial," local authorities warn.
Others agreed "this behaviour is too common in Queensland" and around other croc-dominate areas too, such as in northern WA and the NT.
"Sad part is if one of the rats gets taken then the poor croc gets shot," another said in the comments of the Facebook post. "Stupid is as stupid does. The whole area is dotted with warning signs, but people choose to ignore them, because they know better," another reiterated. Others wondered if the man taking the photo had attempted to warn the group.
Crocodiles hunt on water's edge
A spokesperson for the Department of Environment and Science told Yahoo News Australia previously it encouraged “everyone living and visiting Croc County to make sensible choices when near the water and to always practice CrocWise behaviour”.
That includes staying at least five metres from the water’s edge as crocodiles often hunt their prey there. Other safety tips include disposing of all food and fish scraps as not to attract crocs, keep pets on a lead and away from the water’s edge, avoid using kayaks and paddle boards as crocs have taken people from small vessels, and to stay well away from crocodile traps.
Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week’s best stories.