A photographer has captured the incredible moment a saltwater crocodile entered the surf in Far North Queensland proving it’s not just people taking a dip at the beach this week.
While crocs are known to leave the river systems and make their way to the ocean, it’s a sight that’s “not seen” very often according to croc enthusiast David White who told Yahoo News Australia he was “lucky” to capture the rare footage near an undisclosed Queensland beach.
“It was nice light and the croc was swimming out of a creek and into the sea with the waves breaking over its head,” White, who runs croc experiences in the Daintree River, explained to Yahoo. “It’s something that happens around here.”
White, a passionate advocate for the species, explained that despite the common occurrence, many Aussies don’t like the idea of crocs making their way onto beaches in Australia, with some even calling for a cull of the protected species.
“People get so upset about it,” he said. “Beaches are their natural habitat and there is no danger walking on the beach, they are actually very timid.”
The croc was captured making his way through breaking waves. Source: Facebook
While many Aussies wouldn’t think of crocodiles as timid, White qualified his opinion by explaining that land is not the domain of the croc. “They are the king of the water,” he said.
“People think they are killing machines, but there is so much misinformation about crocodiles,” adding the species is “misunderstood”.
Aussies must ‘respect’ predators in croc country
White explained that while many people are happy to see animals in the wild, when they come onto their home turf it’s a different story. “The more we spread out, the more wildlife struggles,” he said.
According to the Queensland government, habitat destruction is now considered a major threat to the survival of crocs in Queensland.
“Many people don’t mind the idea of wildlife in the wild places but don’t want it in their own backyard. But our backyards are getting closer to their natural habitats,” he said.
“Crocs have been swimming up and down our beaches for millions of years,” he added. “We have to respect them.”
White regularly photographs the region’s wild crocodiles. Source: David White
Why croc culling ‘doesn’t work’
Sharing a video of the amazing moment the croc broke through the waves, many Aussies responded with anger — saying that crocodiles in the region should be culled.
“It doesn’t work,” he said, responding to the calls. He explained crocs were nearly hunted to extinction in Australia until they became a protected species across the country between 1969 and 1974. During that time, there were still croc attacks.
“There will always be one that comes back to the area and it’s proven culling makes it more dangerous because everyone thinks it’s safe. It’s the crocs you don’t see, and the complacency that kills.
“Removing crocodiles does not reduce the risk of attack at all. If anything it may actually increase the risk of attack,” Brandon Sideleau, a specialist in human and crocodile conflict previously told Yahoo News Australia.
Crocodile populations have successfully recovered since they were listed as protected but it’s meant that crocs have returned to places people once thought were safe. “Some of those places are people’s favourite beaches,” he said.
Unfortunately, if crocs are spotted on popular beaches, they are often removed.
“They call it removing but it’s killing,” said White. “They used to relocate them but they proved with GPS’s they just come back.”
Aussies encouraged to be CrocWise
Those who wish to take a swim at the beach in croc country are urged to swim between lifeguard flags since lifeguards in the region use drones and nets to keep crocs away.
“If they see a croc, they’d clear the beach,” he said, adding “never go at night time, at dawn or dusk, or if the water is murky.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Environment and Science told Yahoo News Australia previously it encouraged “everyone living in and visiting Croc County to make sensible choices when near the water and to always practise CrocWise behaviour”.
Top tips to reduce your risk in Croc Country, according to the Queensland Government:
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Stay at least 5m from the water’s edge
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Dispose of your food and fish scraps in a bin or take them home
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Keep your pets on a lead and away from the water’s edge
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Avoid using small watercraft such as kayaks and paddleboards
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Stay well away from crocodile traps
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