Video of crocodile eating shark in central Queensland prompts warning to public
A viral video of a saltwater crocodile eating a shark in a Queensland river has prompted wildlife offers to issue a warning to the public.
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) says feeding crocodiles puts lives at risk and officers are concerned by videos taken in central Queensland that have been posted online.
QPWS officer Alex Peters said the video of the crocodile eating the shark in the Fitzroy River at Rockhampton was worrying.
Anyone who sees a crocodile is encouraged to report it as quickly as possible. (ABC Far North: Christopher Testa)
"We're investigating if this is a coincidence or not, and we would be extremely disappointed if people were deliberately feeding crocodiles to generate likes on social media," he said.
"Previous incidents have shown when a crocodile has been fed it starts to approach other people for food, or it will hang around an area where they have previously been fed, waiting for an easy meal.
"This can put unsuspecting people at risk and leave the animal vulnerable to being removed from the wild."
Michael Marlow filmed the crocodile eating the shark after witnessing the incident by chance. (Supplied: Michael Marlow)
'Just thought it was wild'
Michael Marlow said he filmed the incident while he was out exercising on the afternoon of February 8.
He said he did not realise there was a dead shark in the water at first and did not place it there.
"Initially I didn't know what was going on," Mr Marlow said.
"I thought it was maybe beaching itself … but then it comes up and it really lets you see what it's got.
"Kind of scary when you think about it — he doesn't look very big in the water and then all of a sudden he does look pretty big."
Mr Marlow, who moved to Australia from the United States in 2017, was unaware that crocodile sightings needed to be reported to authorities.
"I didn't know I was supposed to and I just posted the video because I thought it was quite amazing," he said.
"I just thought it was wild — I've lived in a lot of places in the US and there's gators, but crocs over here are quite cool."
He said he had not been contacted by authorities in regard to the video.
Mr Marlow also saw this crocodile in the Fitzroy River. (Supplied: Michael Marlow)
A string of encounters
The warning comes after a string of encounters between the reptiles and humans in the last two months.
A saltwater crocodile more than 4 metres long jumped into a man's boat while he was fishing in Jane Creek at St Helen's Beach, an hour north of Mackay, on New Year's Eve.
Less than a week later a crocodile launched itself onto a pontoon in front of a fisherman at Coorooman Creek near Zilzie, on the Capricorn Coast.
Loading...Earlier this month a 2.3m croc was captured at a popular swimming hole in Cairns and a 2.4m specimen was removed from a Townsville backyard.
Mr Peters said people needed to be croc-wise and keep boat ramps clean.
"It is an offence under the Nature Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020 to feed a native animal in the wild if the animal is dangerous or venomous, or capable of injuring a person," he said.
"The maximum penalty for deliberately feeding crocodiles is $6,192 and anyone with information about the deliberate feeding of crocodiles should report it by calling 1300 130 372."
QPWS said crocodile sightings should be reported as soon as possible through the QWildlife app, by calling the department, or via its website.