Queensland proposal to remove more large crocodiles could raise risk of attacks, experts warn

A four-metre saltwater croc seen in Miallo, Queensland. Tour operator David White fears removing more crocodiles could lead to fatal complacency. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images courtesy of David White

Critics of a proposal to remove more large crocodiles from Queensland’s populated far north coast say the move will result in a “silent cull” and could actually put more people at risk of attack.

The Queensland government said crocodile numbers had been slowly rising and it was conducting modelling to see what impact taking more animals out of the wild would have on the species.