RANGERS have trapped a 2.7m crocodile this morning at Deep Creek near Kewarra Beach less than 24 hours after setting a new trap.

Environment and Heritage Protection Minister Andrew Powell said rangers set the trap at Deep Creek about 3pm yesterday after reports of a 2.5m to 3m crocodile.

It is the same creek where fisherman Ben Woods’ dog, Angus, was taken by a crocodile on September 20 and where a large crocodile was baited and beheaded four days later.

"Rangers from my department have had reports in the past 48 hours of crocodile slide marks at the entrance to Deep Creek," Mr Powell said.

"Wildlife officers visited the area twice (on Monday), but there was no sign of the animal.

"We can’t say if this is the crocodile that recently took a dog in Deep Creek, but there is evidence that a crocodile of a similar size is still in the vicinity." Mr Powell said the animal had been declared "a crocodile of concern".

A spokeswoman from Mr Powell’s office said the trap was initially going to be set in the area on September 24, but was abandoned when rangers made the grisly discovery of the beheaded croc that same day.

She said there had always been "question mark" over the number of large crocodiles in the creek. Mr Powell said the investigation into the illegal killing of the crocodile was continuing.

The maximum penalty for illegally killing a crocodile is $24,750.

Residents should report crocodile sightings to the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection on 1300 130 372.

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