By Hollie Harris
THE mystery of the Coolum crocodile continues, as the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) has not been able to identify any signs of a crocodile after a sighting was reported in Coolum Creek last Monday.
Wildlife officers from EHP responded to reports of a two metre croc at Paynter Creek seen basking on the bank on 2 January.
Teenager Alex Ranson was on his paddle ski looking for fishing spots when he spotted a crocodile about 300m downstream from the West Coolum Road boat ramp.
The 14-year-old said he saw the crocodile on the creek bank after two other men called out to alert him.
Alex said the croc slipped off the bank and into the water as the men’s boat went past.
The school boy said it was about the size of his ski.
Wildlife officers undertook a vessel-based patrol and after a daytime water-based patrol followed by a spotlight survey overnight last Thursday, they reported they did not see a crocodile.
A huge lace monitor has been spotted in the area of the sighting and the experts said it could have been mistaken for the croc.
Members of the public are urged to report all crocodile sightings as soon as possible to EHP on 1300 130 372 as timely reports greatly assist wildlife officers in their crocodile management activities.
This is particularly important if the sighting is south of the Boyne River at Gladstone, which is considered the southern boundary of crocodile habitat and the normal range for crocodiles.
Any crocodile identified south of the Boyne River is targeted for capture and removal.
