Traps set for killer crocodile after grandmother’s death

Traps are being set in far-north Queensland as the hunt for a crocodile believed to have eaten an elderly grandmother continues.

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

Her remains and walking stick were found by police next to Craiglie Creek, connected to Mowbray River, less than two kilometres from the aged care facility.

Baited traps are being set along the creek, and searchers believe the crocodile is lurking in muddy waters near mangroves.

Baited traps are being set along the creek, and searchers believe the crocodile is lurking in muddy waters near mangroves

Video footage shows the baited traps being set along the Mowbray River on Sunday.

Queensland environment and heritage protection wildlife director Michael Joyce said they will be targeting the entire 2.3km length of Craiglie Creek.

‘The traps will be baited with a portion of a pig’s carcasss, and we will also continue our attempts to do direct capture methods.

‘What we’re trying to do is entice the crocodile with a range of methods to maximise our chances of catching the target animal.’

Mr Joyce asked people to stay away from the area while the search is ongoing.

Queensland environment and heritage protection wildlife director Michael Joyce said they will be targeting the entire 2.3km Craiglie Creek

Ten wildlife officers who are ‘experts in crocodile behaviour’ and 10 other environment and heritage protection staff are assisting with the search. 

‘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. 

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

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.