iStockphoto / DianaLynne
A saltwater crocodile measuring over 4 meters, an estimated 13 feet and 7 inches, was captured and relocated from a marina in Queensland, Australia after the croc reportedly lunged at a houseboat with a man standing on the deck.
That’s how wild things are Down Undah… The crocodiles are so big they think they can take on house boats and their inhabitants.
According to a press release from the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, the 13 foot crocodile was captured using a trap set up in a marina where a dog also recently went missing and the massive saltwater crocodile is also believed to be the culprit there.
Footage of the saltwater crocodile being pulled from the cage and putting up a testy fight was shared on YouTube after the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation released images and video:
The department announced the 13 foot crocodile was captured and is being classified and dealt with as an ‘icon crocodile’ which means the relocation process will follow strict guidelines. Wildlife officer Ella Meeve said “this means the decision on where the crocodile will be placed and housed must be made in consultation with the relevant Traditional Owners.”
Meeve added “it also means that the animal may only be placed with a registered crocodile farm or zoo which agrees to use it for educational purposes about crocodile conservation and their ecology. Two crocodiles that moved into the marina have been removed from the wild, but I’m asking everyone who uses the marina to continue to be Crocwise, because Cardwell is Croc Country.”
The belief is these saltwater crocodiles were in the area because of crab traps in the water. Wildlife officers believe the crocs could smell the crabs and that lured them in creating this scenario where at 13-foot crocodile would attack a houseboat with a man standing on the deck. Another 10-footer had been removed just a few weeks prior.