Croc trapped at Lakes
A CROC spotted patrolling the waters of Centenary Lakes last week has been caught by authorities.
Environmental Protection Agency senior director Clive Cook said officers found the beast when they checked a baited trap yesterday morning.
Mr Cook was confident it was the same animal spotted by many bystanders on the pathway next
to Centenary Lakes last week. "We didn’t see any other crocs there and this one was about 1.6m so it fits the description," he said.
"Someone reported a croc going into the trap on Saturday night and we found it there yesterday morning."
The croc is being kept at an EPA holding facility in Tingira St, Portsmith, while its fate is decided. A crocodile farm may be its future home.
"They are in demand with farms looking for fresh breeding stock," Mr Cook said.
The animal’s behaviour, which included crawling on to a path at Centenary Lakes, meant it was unlikely to be released into the wild.
"It certainly won’t be going back in Centenary Lakes," he said. While captured crocs have been destroyed before, Mr Cook said this action was a last resort.
Several crocs have been spotted at Centenary Lakes in the past two years, with most about 1.5m to 2m in size.
It is believed the latest beast was a new arrival.
The EPA has said it wants to talk to Cairns Regional Council about a croc barrier to help stop the reptiles entering the lakes from Saltwater Creek.
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Gotcha!: Unscheduled visits to Centenary Lakes are over for this croc which seems destined to settle for a more mundane life down on the farm.
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