Mackay crocodile euthanised after terrorising swimmers at North Wall in Queensland

A massive 3.8m crocodile has been euthanised after terrorising swimmers and chasing them from the water.

The huge beast had been prowling the area around North Wall at Mackay, in Queensland, since February 9.

The area was particularly busy as Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle formed off-shore and brought massive swells for surfers.

Swimmers were forced to scramble up the nearby rock wall to escape the crocodile while others bolted back to the beach.

The Department of Environment and Science received multiple reports of the massive reptile stalking the area.

Senior wildlife officer Jane Burns said the same crocodile then approached a fisherman days later at nearby Reliance Creek.

‘He felt very uncomfortable with the distance this animal came to him … he threw rocks at this croc to basically get it away,’ she said. 

A search was launched for the reptile and that it was shot by wildlife officers.

‘Wildlife officers assessed the animal as posing an unacceptable danger to the community and the decision was to humanely euthanase the crocodile on the spot,’ she said.

Crocodiles deemed a threat can be euthanised under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan.

Ms Burns said they are normally removed from the area and relocated to a local zoo or farm.

The huge beast had been prowling the area around North Wall at Mackay, in Queensland, since February 9 (stock image)

She said this crocodile was deemed too dangerous prompting drastic actions to be taken by wildlife officials.

‘For that instance, we did have firearms there on site … it was the safest option,’ she said. 

There have been 23 crocodile sightings reported in the Mackay region since the start of the year.

Ms Burns said recent rainfall prompted the reptiles to move around with some of them turning up in unexpected places.

She said a 2.7m crocodile was also found at Reliance Creek and a smaller one nearby, but both were deemed to not be dangerous and left alone.