Crocodile cull calls after woman disappears in Queensland

The Queensland Government is facing calls for stronger crocodile management measures, including culling.

The growing pressure comes after reports a missing elderly woman was eaten by a saltwater crocodile.

Anne Cameron, 79, was last seen in Port Douglas, in Queensland’s tropical far north, near an OzCare Aged Care facility on Tuesday afternoon.

A Police spokesman said they have found ‘what appears to be human remains’ and are running tests on them. 

‘We believe she’s wandered in there [a crocodile infested area] and gotten lost, it’s our theory that she’s become disorientated and walked through that area,’ he said. 

Police confirmed they found a pile of clothing next to a small creek connected to Mowbray River, believed to be less than two kilometres from the aged care facility.  

The Katter’s Australian Party has renewed their calls for both sides of parliament to introduce more stringent management of crocodiles through their Safer Waterways Bill, which includes culling.

Police believe Mrs Cameron ‘wandered in there [a crocodile infested area] and gotten lost’

A pile of clothing was found next to a small creek connected to Mowbray River, believed to be less than two kilometres from Mrs Cameron’s aged care facility

The bill would establish an authority to oversee a crocodile cull, egg harvesting and immediate removal or euthanasia for animals considered a threat.

The Queensland Government is legally allowed to kill a crocodile involved in a fatal attack, but must gain federal approval.

Earlier this year, Federal Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg backed the calls for a tighter culling legislation.

‘In my book human life comes first and crocodiles second,’ he said, the Courier Mail reports.

The Queensland Government legally allowed to kill a crocodile involved in a fatal attack, but must gain federal approval

‘Such action properly considered and carried out would have my full support.’

One Nation party leader Pauline Hanson told Sky News the animals are ‘clearly a problem’.

‘We will lose tourism, we will lose lives, animals are being taken by the crocs,’ she said.

Together with the Katter’s Australian party, both minor parties support a cull to ensure similar accidents don’t occur again.

‘In north Queensland we face the risk and sometimes the ultimate price because governments are weak on this issue,’ party leader Bob Katter said.