General News
14 July, 2026
Shire in aerial croc survey
AN aerial crocodile survey of waterways in the Mareeba Shire will be undertaken next month.
The survey comes after Mareeba Shire Council wrote to the Department of Environment asking to be included in its winter aerial survey which will be carried out in August.
“Following a request from council, wildlife rangers will be conducting a helicopter survey of waterways in the Mareeba shire in August,” a department spokesperson said.
“As crocodiles are cold-blooded animals, the survey is being carried out in winter when the animals spend more time basking in the sun to regulate their body temperature.”
The conversation on crocodiles reached a high last year when local farmer George Adil launched a petition calling for the expansion of Zone F in the Mareeba region. Any crocodiles found in a Zone F area are targeted for immediate removal, as the area has been identified as an atypical habitat for the animals.
The State Government answered the call, releasing a new Crocodile Management Plan in December which now includes parts of the Barron River and Lake Mitchell (Southedge Dam) as reportable removal zones.
It was also around this time last year when the department caught and removed a large saltwater crocodile from a farm drain near Two Mile Creek in Biboohra following multiple sightings.
Anyone who spots a crocodile is encouraged to report it to the department via the QWildlife app (available on the App Store and Google Play); the Queensland Government website; or by calling 1300 130 372.
