A second crocodile has been sighted at a popular fishing spot about 15 kilometres from Cairns' CBD — days after a family dog was reportedly snatched from the riverbank "in one bite".
The Benn family from the city's western suburbs said a crocodile took their labrador named Indie at Barron River on Wednesday morning.
"Indie was on the banks of the bridge there and she was looking at my wife and out jumped this monster crocodile … and took Indie in one bite," Alan Benn said.
Mr Benn said the incident, witnessed by his adult daughter, happened near the lower Kamerunga footbridge in a suburban area.
He said it was a popular walking and fishing spot and the family regularly visited it with their dogs.
"A lot of people have seen crocodiles there," Mr Benn said.
"I don't agree the crocodiles should be in any waterways in populated areas … this can't happen in a city of 150,000 people."
A reminder to 'be crocwise'
A Department of Environment and Science spokesperson said it captured a 2.4 metre crocodile on Wednesday "in a trap placed at Kamerunga near where a dog was reportedly taken".
But the spokesperson said subsequent spotlight searches identified another estuarine crocodile, which would be "targeted for removal".
He said the department was unable to determine the size of the reptile and urged caution.
"The Cairns community is encouraged to be crocwise at all times, keep pets on a lead and keep them away from the water's edge," the spokesperson said.
The department listed Kamerunga as an active removal zone, where any crocodile confirmed to be present was automatically targeted for removal.
Mr Benn was concerned not enough was being done to control crocodiles in the populated area and worried that a child might be injured or killed.
"If there's a community concern, every crocodile — no matter how big or small — must be removed, that's it," he said.
This is 'crocodile country'
David White runs a crocodile-spotting wildlife cruise in the Daintree and said removing or killing the reptiles was not the solution.
"When they kill the crocodile … unfortunately everyone thinks the problem is fixed and they'll go about their normal behaviour that they've been doing before," he said.
"Another one is going to come and take its place the next day.
"It's a sneaky one that comes in overnight and nobody notices, that's the one that's dangerous."
Mr White says the loss of a dog is terrible but warned the area is crocodile habitat.
"I know it used to be a favourite swimming spot, but … when people were swimming there, it was back in the time when they [crocodiles] were hunted almost to extinction," he said.
He said about 95 per cent of the reptile's population had since recovered and they had returned to areas that were once perceived to be croc-free.
"The population now is stable and they're just coming back to where they've been living for millions of years," Mr White said.
He said education was key to prevent harm to people or pets and the installation of safety rails could make it safer for people to fish, but ultimately people had to stay away from the edge.
"It's just a matter of accepting it is crocodile country," Mr White said.
"We can still enjoy the park and the waterways but we can't take the dog down for a swim unless it's really shallow and clear and you can see the bottom."
