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ABC News
ABC News
National

Crocodile bites man sleeping on Queensland beach as wildlife officers investigate

Newell Beach is a popular local and tourist destination north of Port Douglas. (Facebook: Executive Retreats)

A 65-year-old man has been discharged from hospital after being bitten by a crocodile in Far North Queensland.

A Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service spokesperson says the incident occurred at Newell Beach.

The ABC understands the man was sleeping on the sand last night when he was bitten on the foot, and travelled to the Mossman hospital sometime before 10pm for treatment.

A 4.5-metre crocodile was captured at Newell Beach during May 2021. (Supplied: Department of Environment and Science)

A Department of Environment and Science (DES) spokesperson said it would investigate the incident.

"Wildlife officers [will be][ attending the Newell Beach region to confirm if a crocodile is in the area," they said.

"The man has not notified DES about the possible incident."

The spokesperson said all crocodile sightings should be reported in a timely manner and urged people in known crocodile country to behave accordingly.

"Be aware crocs also swim in the ocean and be extra cautious around water at night," they said.

"Camp at least 50 metres from the edge of the water."

Latest in a string of attacks

It is the latest in several recent attacks in the Far North, including several on dogs.

In February, a man and his dog were entering the water at a boat ramp south of Cooktown when both were attacked by a crocodile.

The man survived but his dog was eaten, with DES officers later shooting dead a 4.2 metre crocodile.

In December, a family dog was also eaten by a crocodile in a suburban waterway in Cairns.

Large crocodiles are known to frequent the area around Newell beach, with a 4.5 metre animal captured nearby in 2021.

It was reported to have been behaving aggressively, which wildlife officers at the time attributed to it likely being fed by humans.

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