daintree

Crocodile hunter with his catch in his dinghy, Bamboo Creek, North Queensland

from State Library of Queensland

• Vesna Verencevic said:

  This is one of some newer stories about the giant crocodile Howard, from the same area of Bamboo Creek. This time is not at all about killing a crocodile. Giant crocodile, Howard, has 10yo Elroy on his side — fighting for him to remain on creek bank ABC Far North / By Kristy Sexton-McGrath A 10-year-old boy has penned a letter pleading with authorities not to touch a giant crocodile that has been targeted for removal. The 4-metre crocodile, known as Howard, has long been part of the small community of Miallo, north of Cairns, in far north Queensland. But the State's Environment Department has now set a trap after a resident complained that Howard had been sunning himself on a creek bank that backs onto homes. Schoolboy Elroy Woods said he had written to the State's Environment Minister, Leeanne Enoch, asking for the trap to be removed. "I lived at Bamboo Creek Road for five years, right on Saltwater Creek," he wrote. "I loved watching Howard the crocodile sunbake and enjoyed seeing him from the bridge every afternoon." "I'm very saddened that Howard is being moved away from his home and I don't understand why a trap is there for Howard," he said in the letter. Not a problem croc Elroy is not the only resident to come to Howard's defence — resident and tourism operator David White said Howard had never been a problem. "I know sometimes crocodiles have to be removed because they stalk people and boats, but Howard's never done that," Mr White said. "This crocodile is in a saltwater creek where no one swims." He also said removing a big, dominant crocodile could see other, more aggressive crocodiles take over the area. Elroy's mother, Melissa Hills, said she hoped her son's letter would make it to Ms Enoch. "I was tidying up his room when I found it and we decided to post it," Ms Hills said. Elroy said he was "very careful" around crocodiles. "I always stand back at least 6 metres from the water's edge and don't go near the water at all when it is dark." Source: www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-03/boy-pleads-for-minister-to...