A nearly four-metre-long crocodile that had been stalking farm animals in north Queensland has finally been captured after evading wildlife officers for a month.
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The crocodile had been spotted lingering around a property on the Herbert River in Cordelia, a town 125km north of Townsville, and targeting the farm's animals.
The owner called in wildlife officers who declared it dangerous.
"When we observed the behaviour of the crocodile, we targeted it for removal from the wild," senior wildlife officer Tony Frisby said.
Wildlife officers tried to catch it with an in-river floating trap but due to heavy rainfall in Queensland's north leading to high river levels, the croc evaded the tactic.
So a gated trap was installed on the riverbank with officers waiting nearly a month before a remote camera captured the croc taking the bait on Sunday.
The 3.9-metre creature has been removed and will be taken to a crocodile farm or zoo.
Another crocodile has also been removed from the region after being caught in a trap in the Ross River in Townsville.
The three-metre reptile had been hanging around the weir on the river for several weeks, with wildlife officers deeming it a risk to the public.
It will also be taken to a crocodile farm or zoo.
"People must understand that the removal of these crocodiles does not make the Herbert River or the Ross River safer," Mr Frisby said.
Australian Associated Press
