Bounty for information on croc-killers in North Queensland

A very public battle has erupted in North Queensland over vigilantes murdering monstrous crocodiles, with thousands of dollars at stake.

Animal rights group PETA came out on the front-foot, declaring a $6,000 bounty for anyone providing information that led to the conviction of those behind the shooting of two crocodiles in the area.

State MP Robbie Katter hit back, declaring a $10,000 bounty for anyone who dobbed in those who responded to PETA’s call for information.

But days later, the Member for Traegar, and son of Bob Katter, was forced to retract his remarks, with a spokesman admitting to Daily Mail Australia the politician did not have a spare 10 grand.

Queensland MP Robbie Katter (right) tried to top a $10,000 bounty for information on crocodile killers with a $10,000 bounty for information on those who snitch, but has since had to backtrack due to a lack of funds

Four crocodiles, all four to five metres long, have been found dead in the area since April.

The headless, four metre crocodile was found in a creek north of Innisfail on April 22.

In September, a crocodile measuring more than five metres was found in the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, with a bullet in its head.

The head of another crocodile was found on Cairns Esplanade last month, wearing a pair of sunglasses and resting next to a can of beer.

On December 5, a fisherman found the bloated corpse 4.4m saltwater crocodile floating in the Mulgrave River – also with a single gunshot to the head.

Since April, four massive crocodiles have been found murdered in North Queensland (pictured: a 4.4m croc shot in the head)

Since April, four massive crocodiles have been found murdered in North Queensland (pictured: a 4.4m croc shot in the head)

Two have been decapitated and two have been shot in the head (pictured: 5.2m crocodile shot in the head)

Two have been decapitated and two have been shot in the head (pictured: 5.2m crocodile shot in the head)

I’m not sure I can come up with $10,000, I was speaking figuratively,’ Mr Katter told Daily Mail Australia.

‘I don’t have the big dollars that the ‘well heeled’ large environmental groups have behind them. But I am serious about calling these people out and putting it right back in their face.

‘They need to be held accountable for the danger they are subjecting people to by forcing their ideologies over people’s lives.

‘These groups are using their large financial resources to influence the arm of justice and are denying the people of the north the ability to keep their families safe when the government refuses to help them.

‘I am venting the frustration that is boiling over with people that simply want safer access to their waterways, as they used to.

The head of another crocodile was found on Cairns Esplanade last month, wearing a pair of sunglasses and resting next to a can of beer (pictured: 5.2m croc shot in the head)

The head of another crocodile was found on Cairns Esplanade last month, wearing a pair of sunglasses and resting next to a can of beer (pictured: 5.2m croc shot in the head)

The body of this crocodile, measuring four metres was found in a creek near Innisfail on April 22

The body of this crocodile, measuring four metres was found in a creek near Innisfail on April 22

‘People are taking the law into their own hands because they feel they have no other choice. Stop gap approaches by the State Government, such as ‘educating people to live with crocs’ and commissioning 3 year studies, are not providing the safety people in North Queensland are seeking.

‘Not only are these animals threatening people’s lives but also financial livelihoods. The tourism meccas of Cairns, Port Douglas, Palm Cove and Mission Beach all are under threat from the increased level of beach closures and high increases in croc sightings.’

Mr Katter is the son of Bob Katter, who recently claimed a person was ‘torn to pieces every three months in North Queensland’.

A spokeswoman for PETA told Daily Mail Australia the shootings were very concerning, and news of the second one in three months had urged them to up their bounty.

She said those who were comfortable killing a crocodile ‘often don’t stop there’.

‘PETA is upping its reward to $6,000 for information leading to the identification and conviction of the person or persons responsible for either of these vicious attacks,’ she said.

‘People who harm animals often don’t stop there and are a danger to the community at large.

‘That’s why it’s imperative for anyone with information to contact the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection or Crime Stoppers.’



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk