23 Oct 2017

Grown men interfere with croc trap

10:02 pm on 23 October 2017

A group of men seen interfering with a crocodile trap in Australia have been condemned by Queensland's environment department "in the strongest possible terms".

A man standing on top of a baited crocodile trap in Australia.

A man standing on top of a baited crocodile trap in Australia. Photo: Facebook

Photos posted to Facebook show the men climbing on top of and even inside a baited crocodile trap at the Port Douglas marina.

The trap is not far from where 79-year-old Anne Cameron was taken by a crocodile earlier this month.

The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) has launched an investigation into the "stupid and reckless interference".

"These traps are specifically designed to attract crocodiles and they are deployed in places where a problem crocodile is known to be present," a department spokesperson said in a statement.

"It is extremely dangerous to interfere with a crocodile trap, regardless of whether or not there is a crocodile within.

"It is not an exaggeration to say that interfering with crocodile traps can be potentially life-threatening for the person concerned."

The Queensland Government recently introduced penalties of more than A$15,000 for people who deliberately interfere with a crocodile trap.

Environment Minister Steven Miles said anyone with information on the matter should contact the department.

A saltwater crocodile in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory.

A Photo: AFP

"You've got grown men swimming in a crocodile trap, exactly where we put the bait for the crocodiles.

"The reason the trap is there is because we suspect there are crocodiles in the area.

"The trap is dangerous in and of itself, and of course if the crocodile were to appear that would be even more dangerous."

- ABC

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