A photo of a man casually strolling past a large crocodile lying in the sun in Far North Queensland, Australia caused an uproar online.
The man can be seen with phone in hand walking across the riverbank just feet from the animal, while another man stands a little further away.
The pictures in the Russell River near Babinda, south of Cairns, were first uploaded on social media and later shared by the Cairns Post, which reported locals were angry at the man for disturbing the crocodile, known as Clyde, and risked being thrown out.
“If this continues, it’s only a matter of time (before) the old Clyde will be targeted for removal,” said one.
Another described the scene as “unbelievable human behaviour”.
A man caused an uproar online after he was photographed walking right by a crocodile in Queensland, Australia.News.com.au
But as the photo gained wider attention, Australians from FNQ defended the man.
Some claim he is at a safe distance during the day so there is nothing to worry about.
“Nothing wrong with this … it’s when this guy fishes ankle deep over there and the alligator is nowhere to be seen is when the trouble starts,” wrote one.
“Who cares? People know alligators are predators and potentially dangerous … if they want to take the risk, then who really gives a—k? It’s called ‘free will,’” said another.
Locals fear he may be upsetting the popular crocodile known as Clyde.News.com.au
“You want us to stay with them. Then criticize us for just staying with them,” added the third.
A fourth quipped: “What’s with the worry? He’s not.”
The Queensland Government’s Crocwise campaign is warning people to stay at least five yards from the water’s edge as crocodiles often hunt for prey there.
Just a few weeks earlier, another man-made headland for fishing on the same bank just steps from the Clyde.
A man was seen fishing near the Clyde a few weeks earlier.News.com.au
Speaking to Nine News at the time, Croc Country Australia owner Jesse Crampton said he had seen people feeding Clyde, which actually put not only the public but Clyde in danger.
“I’ve personally seen over the years people there feeding him fish, and large carcasses like wallabies on the road, doing their own attack show,” he said.
He added: “When crocodiles lose their fear of humans and they get food, associate with humans, then they become dangerous animals.
“And if an animal is deemed an immediate threat then they are [Department of Environment and Science] remove it to reduce the risk of someone getting killed.”
A spokesman for the Department of Environment and Science said it was “disappointing to see people taking unnecessary and life-threatening risks in known crocodile habitat”.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
