Furious Aussies in crocodile country have called out the ‘stupidity’ of tourists who risk their lives trying to snap a photo of the deadly creatures.
A photo shared online on Sunday shows a group of three young girls standing just metres from a massive croc in Babinda, 50km south of Cairns.
The four-metre long crocodile, named Clyde, is a well-known figure in the small town with locals often sharing photos of his whereabouts.
However, many said tourists often get too comfortable around the threatening reptile and said if the ‘stupidity’ doesn’t end ‘someone will get eaten’.
‘It’s only a matter of time until someone is taken right there. Insane behaviour,’ one commenter said.
Anoher wrote: ‘If people keep going down there something will happen and then he will be taken out – leave him be.’
Crocodiles are very common from central to northern Queensland with the state’s environment department noting ‘no waterway in croc country can ever be considered crocodile-free’.
Crocs are typically found in fresh and saltwater rivers, creeks, swamps, lagoons, waterholes, beaches and oceans.
What makes the reptile especially dangerous is its stealthy hunting style with many victims unaware a croc is watching them until it’s too late.
There have been eight crocodile attacks in Queensland since 2020, one of which was fatal.
‘Crocodiles are apex predators that use ambush tactics, such as lying and waiting at the water’s edge, to capture their prey,’ the Queensland Environment Department said.
‘Just because you can’t see a crocodile doesn’t mean there is not one close by.
‘Crocodiles can stay underwater for over an hour and can be completely concealed, even in knee-deep water.’
This article by Ashley Nickel was first published by The Daily Mail on 30 June 2023. Lead Image: Clyde (above), a four-metre long crocodile, is famous in the small north Queensland town but locals fear ‘stupid’ tourists going too close will provoke him.
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