Aggressive crocodile that mauled soldiers caught and killed by rangers
Aggressive crocodile that mauled two soldiers swimming in a remote bay in north Queensland is captured by rangers and killed
- Wildlife officers caught and killed croc that mauled two soldiers in remote bay
- Drones, crocodile traps and baited snares were used to assist in capturing croc
- The 2.5-metre crocodile was located north of Lockhart River on Tuesday
- Cape York local can’t fathom why the soldiers ignored croc warnings to swim
Wildlife officers have killed an aggressive crocodile that mauled two soldiers who went swimming in a remote Queensland bay where the reptiles are known to lurk.
The officers had no trouble identifying their target, which became highly aggressive as they approached it in their vessel north of Lockhart River on Tuesday.
The 2.5-metre croc was still in the same area where the soldiers were attacked, offshore from Portland Road on Friday afternoon.
A 2.5 metre crocodile that mauled the two soldiers was identified north of Lockhart River on Tuesday and killed by wildlife officers
Cape York local Jayson Watkins (pictured) was called in by police to use his tinny to reach the army vessel and get the injured pair to shore
One of the soldiers suffered broken bones and other upper body injuries when he was mauled in the water. A second soldier who tried to help had his arm ripped open.
Drones, crocodile traps and baited snares were used to catch and kill the croc, with the environment department saying relocation was not an option.
“If we were to trap and move the animal over a long distance, that usually has a negative outcome for the crocodile,” wildlife officer Ren Bone said.
“And we can’t leave an animal that has attacked a human being in the community.”
Cape York local Jayson Watkins was called in by police to help get the injured pair to shore. He can’t fathom why they ventured into the water in the first place.
Mr Watkins used his tinny to reach an army vessel that had anchored off Portland Road. As he approached he could see frantic activity onboard as medics bandaged the men’s wounds and gave them pain killers.
“Apart from the horrific injuries they were very clearly in shock,” he said.
“It’s everything you’d think when you look at the injuries. It was definitely broken bones because you got to remember the jaw pressure per square inch from a crocodile’s insane.”
The pair endured a 700km rescue mission where a chopper met them to fly them to Lockhart Airport
The pair endured a very long rescue mission that spanned 700km. They were transferred to shore in the tinny, where a rescue chopper met them and flew them to Lockhart Airport.
From there the Royal Flying Doctor Service flew them to Cairns, where they were rushed to hospital.
“Most people that come up to Cape are aware to be croc-wise, but for some reason these fellows just chose to ignore all the warnings and went for a dip … and almost paid the ultimate price,” Mr Watkins said.
The pair were transported by paramedics to hospital in Cairns to treat the horrific injuries suffered from the crocodile attack
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