Fears crocodiles are habituated to humans at a Queensland river where a man was taken by a “large” croc have been increased by the discovery of footage of people apparently deliberately feeding them.
The social media footage shows people throwing fish scraps or meat into the water, which are then abruptly eaten by crocodiles.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Crocs are being deliberately fed by people.
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Captions suggest the incidents occurred at the Annan River in Cooktown — the area from which the 40-year-old NSW man was taken by a croc in front of his family on Saturday afternoon — but the dates are unknown.
The Queensland Department of the Environment said it was “highly concerned” by the videos.
“It is illegal to feed crocodiles in Queensland, and anyone with information about the deliberate feeding of crocodiles is encouraged to call 1300 130 372 and report the information. Reports can be made anonymously,” a department spokesperson said.
“Feeding of crocodiles at riverbanks or boat ramps encourages them to hang around, waiting for their next meal.
“This can place future visitors to the area at a much greater risk of attack if they approach or enter the water.
“People should never feed crocodiles or give easy access to food or fish scraps. Crocodiles have been around for millions of years, and they can source their own food.
“They have a highly developed sense of smell, allowing them to detect prey or animal carcasses on the land and in the water from long distances.”
The department also said the crocodile responsible for taking the man is “believed to have a distinctive marking on its snout”.
Deliberately feeding a crocodile in Queensland attracts a maximum penalty of $6452.
Police have revealed the victim was on the riverbank with his family when he was attacked.
It’s believed he had fallen into the water from the riverbank accidentally.
“He was at the top of the bank and has fallen into the water, and it’s quite a large drop there,” Acting Chief Superintendent Shane Holmes said on Monday.
The man, who was travelling in the area with his wife and children in a caravan, did not resurface and neither he nor the crocodile have been seen since, Finucane said.
The search continues on Monday.