Update: Cooktown crocodile investigation

Issued: 5 August 2024

Our wildlife officers are continuing to assist the Queensland Police Service in their search for a missing person in Cooktown.

Wildlife officers will continue intensive surveys of the Annan River today by vessel and with the use of drones. Wildlife officers will also assist police in a search of the river by helicopter.

The target animal is believed to have a distinctive marking on its snout, and wildlife officers will study crocodiles in the area for those distinctive marks. QPWS worked with Yuku Baja Muliku Land and Sea Rangers to prepare a baited trap which was installed yesterday in the Annan River.

While the full circumstances of this matter are yet to be confirmed, we remind everyone that Cooktown is known “Croc Country” and urge everyone to be safe by practising “CrocWise” behaviour, in particular:

• Expect crocodiles in all northern and far northern Queensland waterways even if there is no warning sign
• Obey all warning signs – they are there to keep you safe
• Be aware crocs also swim in the ocean and be extra cautious around water at night
• Stay well away from croc traps – that includes fishing and boating
• The smaller the vessel the greater the risk, so avoid using canoes and kayaks
• Stand back from the water’s edge when fishing and don’t wade in to retrieve a lure
• Camp well back from the water
• Never leave food, fish scraps or bait near the water, at camp sites or at boat ramps
• Never provoke, harass or feed crocs
• Always supervise children near the water and keep pets on a lead

View further information on being Crocwise.