Man, 31, charged with shooting and killing a 5 metre croc

A man has been charged over the fatal shooting of a 5.2 metre crocodile near Rockhampton in Queensland earlier this year.

Police appealed for information after the carcass of the huge reptile washed up in the Fitzroy River at Etna Creek on September 21, but nobody came forward.

But after searching two residences on Thursday afternoon, a 31-year-old man was taken into custody and charged with one count of unlawfully taking a protected animal.

He will front Rockhampton Magistrates Court on January 12, and faces a maximum fine of more than $28,000. 

A man has been charged over the fatal shooting of a 5.2 metre crocodile near Rockhampton

The body of the huge reptile washed up in the Fitzroy River at Etna Creek on September 21

The body of the huge reptile washed up in the Fitzroy River at Etna Creek on September 21

WA Today revealed that several bullets were pulled from the crocodile’s body during a post-mortem examination, and given to the rural Major and Organised Crime Squad to assist their investigation.

Detectives will allege that a number of guns, rifles and ammunition were retrieved from the Etna Creek property during the search. 

Under the Nature Conversation Act of 1992, it is an offence to kill a crocodile without authorisation.

Department of Environment and Science (DES) Conservation and Biodiversity operations director Michael Joyce praised the investigation, calling it a ‘great example’ of the DES and Queensland Police ‘joining forces’. 

Several bullets were pulled from the crocodile's large body during a post-mortem examination

Several bullets were pulled from the crocodile’s large body during a post-mortem examination

The 31-year-old suspect will front court in January and faces a maximum fine of over $28,000

The 31-year-old suspect will front court in January and faces a maximum fine of over $28,000

Koorana Saltwater Crocodile Farm owner John Lever said the killing of the crocodile created more problems than it solved.

‘The crocodile was probably the alpha-male in the area and because it is now dead, there will be a scramble amongst the other males to take his place,’ Mr Lever said.

‘It will take two or three years to settle down and the crocs will be more dangerous during this time because they will be fighting for territory, females and food.’  

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