14yo boy in hospital after croc attack in Far North Queensland
A 14-year-old boy has been attacked by a crocodile while fishing with two other teenagers in Far North Queensland – please stay safe when visiting ‘croc country’ by following this expert advice
READING LEVEL: ORANGE
A teenager has survived a weekend crocodile attack in Far North Queensland, highlighting the need for greater awareness among kids.
The 14-year-old was fishing 100km north of Cairns on Saturday afternoon when he was attacked. He was flown to Cairns Hospital and was in a stable condition by Sunday night.
The incident happened at Myall Beach at Cape Tribulation, about 4pm on Saturday.
The Cairns Post reported the boy was in a group of three, who were not locals to the area, and were fishing in waist-deep water. With the Sunshine State a holiday favourite for Australian families, this most recent croc attack suggests croc safety education is needed for interstate visitors and locals of all ages.
“A male teenager with leg and abdominal* wounds was flown to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition, following a reported crocodile attack on a public beach,” a Queensland Ambulance Service spokesperson said.
A hospital spokesperson said as of Sunday, the boy was in a stable condition.
Myall Beach at Cape Tribulation is where the Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef World Heritage areas meet. The region is a hugely popular tourist destination as international and interstate visitors make the most of the spectacular mix of flora and fauna*.
Four estuarine* crocodiles have been reported in the past month in the Myall Beach area: three around the Cape Tribulation township, and one just to the south near the next township of Thornton Creek.
The latest sighting was close to the Cape Tribulation township on October 22. With the estuarine species starting mating season, males have become more mobile.
WHERE ARE CROCODILES FOUND IN AUSTRALIA?
Northern Territory government advice is that any body of water in the Top End could contain large and potentially dangerous crocodiles.
In Queensland, crocodile habitat* starts at Gladstone and extends north to the Torres Strait, across Cape York Peninsula and into the Gulf of Carpentaria, which lies between the NT and QLD. Estuarine crocodiles can be found in any waterways and the sea in these areas.
WHY ARE CROCODILES SO DANGEROUS?
Crocodiles are apex predators* that capture their prey using great stealth* and camouflage*.
Crocodiles can stay underwater and out of sight for hours at a time.
Just because you can’t see a crocodile, it doesn’t mean there isn’t one close by.
Crocodiles are highly mobile at any time, especially after heavy rain and floods. They can travel hundreds of kilometres in water and can be found in all waterways and oceans within crocodile habitat.
Even very large crocodiles can remain unseen in surprisingly shallow water.
Their extraordinary sight, smell and other sensory organs* alert them to the presence of potential prey.
They can attack from any depth of water, including while underwater.
If a crocodile is hunting you, you will not know it.
HOW TO BE ‘CROCWISE’
If you have an older brother or sister – or if you’re 14 and older yourself – you already know that teenagers often take more risks. Pushing boundaries is a normal part of teenage development. At 14, the teen fisherman who has survived this latest croc is old enough to have some independence. If he and the other teenagers were on a day’s fishing by themselves in a beautiful natural environment, that’s the stuff happy adolescent dreams are made of. But when we’re somewhere that’s home to apex predators, whether you’re 14 or 40, we all need to take extra precautions and care.
If you’re planning a visit with family and friends to areas where crocodiles live, try quizzing the adults in the group about their croc awareness and be sure to share what you know ahead of time.
Here’s some expert intel from Be Crocwise to help keep you and your loved ones safe on your next adventure.
CROC WISDOM: CHOOSE BEHAVIOURS THAT REDUCE YOUR RISK
Remember that crocodiles are apex predators. They don’t muck around. They can’t be reasoned with or trained to behave in a different way and they don’t make for funny videos to share with friends. They’re ancient, wild creatures and there is a good reason why they survived and remain at the top of their food chain.
It’s pretty simple: if you steer clear, you stay safe.
Treat all waterways as “croc country” when you’re visiting areas with crocodiles – here’s 10 top tips*.
- Keep out of the water. A crocodile can attack even if you are in shallow water for a short time.
- Stay at least 5m from the water’s edge. Crocodiles can attack people and animals at the shoreline.
- Keep a sturdy object like an esky, a tree stump or large rock between yourself and the water. If you must approach the water, avoid crouching down and never use the same location twice.
- Don’t wander away from the adults. Stay close to your grown up supervisors and keep away from the water’s edge.
- Be extra cautious at night, dusk and dawn. Crocodiles are more likely to hunt at these times and are more difficult to see.
- Always remain aware, because crocodiles can attack at any time of the year. In croc territory, everyone should assume the crocodiles are active whether it’s mating season or not.
- Everyone should always take leftover food, fish scraps or bait home or dispose of them in a bin. These food sources attract crocodiles if left near water, camp sites or boat ramps.
- Keep pets safe. Keep pets on a lead and away from the water’s edge. Perhaps consider leaving them at home.
- Stay away from areas known for croc activity. Crocodile traps, crocodile nests, signposts warning of danger and places with crocodile tracks and slide marks all mean crocs may be close by.
FISHING WITH CROCODILES
The group of teenagers was reportedly fishing in waist-deep water when the 14-year-old boy was attacked. Crocodiles like good fishing spots as much as fishermen do. Fish and crabs are important food sources for crocodiles.
Spearfishers are at high risk of attack because they are in the water and injured fish attract both crocs and sharks.
Never stand on logs or branches overhanging the water.
Never stand in water to cast off.
A crocodile can attack even if you are in shallow water for a short time.
Keep your arms, legs and head away from the edge of boats, jetties or pontoons.
Throw cast nets from your boat or a jetty – standing in or close to the water when cast netting is dangerous.
If a croc grabs your catch, it’s theirs – and get as far away as possible while the crocodile is distracted.
If your lure gets caught, say goodbye – it’s not worth losing limb or life trying to get it back.
Source: the Northern Territory and Queensland governments have Be Crocwise resources on their sites. For more information, visit becrocwise.nt.gov.au and qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/animals/living-with/crocodiles/becrocwise
POLL
GLOSSARY
- abdominal: relating to the lower part of the body, containing the stomach, bowels and other organs
- fauna: all the animals that live wild in a particular area
- estuarine: relating to estuaries, being the wide part of a river at the place where it joins the sea
- habitat: the natural environment in which an animal or plant usually lives
- apex predators: predators that are top of their food chain with no natural predators of their own
- stealth: quiet, careful movement in order not to be seen or heard
- camouflage: hiding something or someone or making them appear to be something different
- sensory organs: ears, eyes, tongue, nose, and skin, through which we hear, see, taste, smell and touch
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QUICK QUIZ
- Where was the boy when he was attacked and what was he doing?
- Which two World Heritage sites meet in this area?
- Where can crocodiles be found in QLD and the NT?
- What is a normal part of teen development?
- What are at least three top tips for keeping safe when you’re in “croc country”?
LISTEN TO THIS STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. ‘Be Crocwise’ poster
Create an A4 poster on being Crocwise that can be displayed around any waterways where crocs could be around. Use all the tips and information contained in the Kids News article as the basis for your poster. You may also want to include a catchy slogan to be used in a marketing campaign educating people all over Australia about the risks of crocodile attacks.
Display your posters around the school.
Time: allow 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Science, Visual Arts, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking
2. Extension
This 14-year-old boy was lucky to survive this crocodile attack. What were his injuries and how do you think he managed to escape? Tell your story to a classmate.
Time: allow 10 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Science, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking
VCOP ACTIVITY
Imaginative dialogue
Imagine you had planned to be on the fishing trip with the three teenagers – did you go with them or make other plans?
Create a conversation, based on whether you decided to go or not, between two people from the different groups mentioned in this story – you may need or want to include yourself as one of the characters. Don’t forget to try to use facts and details from the article to help make your dialogue as realistic as possible.
Go through your writing and highlight any punctuation you have used in green. Make sure you carefully check the punctuation used for the dialogue and ensure you have opened and closed the speaking in the correct places.