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Coonarr croc sighting

January 28, 2025 7:31 am in by
Stock Image Credit: Nico Soro (Getty Images)

Wildlife officers are investigating multiple reported sightings of a crocodile on the beach and in the water at Coonarr Beach and Elliott River mouth in the Wide Bay region.

On 23 January 2025, the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation received five reports from community members of what they believed to be a crocodile.

Wildlife officers are reviewing a short video showing a crocodile entering the water from a beach.

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Wildlife officer Alexander Peters said wildlife officers are contacting community members who made the sighting reports, and recent crocodile sighting signs will be installed in the area.

“We thank the members of the public who made these reports, and I can assure the community that they will be thoroughly investigated,” Mr Peters said.

“As part of our investigation, wildlife officers will conduct site assessments, including vessel-based searches and spotlight assessments of the area.

“While the investigation is underway, people in the Wide Bay region should be vigilant around the water, which means keeping children close and keeping dogs away from the water’s edge.

“I’d like to encourage everyone in the community to make a sighting report if they see what they believe to be a crocodile.

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“When crocodiles are observed on a beach or in the ocean, they are often passing through from one estuary to another and can be difficult to locate.

“They can also move into a river or creek, and that’s why sighting reports are important as they give wildlife officers the most up to date information about the location and behaviour of crocodiles.

“Under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan, the Wide Bay region is Zone F – atypical crocodile habitat, in which any crocodile found is targeted for removal.

“Crocodile sightings are rare in Zone F, but occasionally crocodiles considered to be vagrant animals make their way into these areas.

“I can reassure the community that any crocodile confirmed to be present in the Wide Bay region will be targeted for removal from the wild.”

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It comes after another sighting in November prompted a large search of the Burnett River which found no trace of a crocodile.

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