Cairns, Queensland – A 5-meter saltwater crocodile, known for its distinctive missing tail tip and affectionately referred to as “Big John,” has been found decapitated and entangled in a fishing net in Yarrabah Bay, a remote Far North Queensland community.
The crocodile, which had been monitored by the Gunggandji-Mandingalbay Yidinji (GMY) Rangers for over four years, was discovered on Wednesday, July 30.
Its death has sparked an investigation by Queensland wildlife authorities.
The Department of Environment and Tourism has urged anyone with information to contact authorities, stating that possessing crocodile body parts, such as a skull, without a permit is illegal and carries a maximum penalty of $37,552.
The department has requested that anyone with information contact them anonymously by calling `1300 130 372` or by completing a wildlife complaint form via the DETSI website.
A Gunggandji Aboriginal Corporation is assisting with the investigations into the crocodile’s death.
The corporation has confirmed that the net was not an abandoned “ghost net” and that the crocodile’s death is a significant loss for the community.
In a social media post, the Gunggandji Aboriginal Corporation expressed their sadness at the loss of the iconic crocodile, stating that “Big John was more than a crocodile.
He was a guardian of our waterways, a link to our ancestral knowledge, and a living reminder of why we protect and care for our land and sea country.”
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to come forward and assist in the investigation.
By doing so, they can help ensure that justice is served and that the responsible parties are held accountable for their actions.