Crocodile attack sydney

By Rachael Merritt. ABC North Qld. Topic: Animal Behaviour. A wildlife researcher says crocodiles can be very reserved at times, preferring to lay low. Supplied: Billabong Sanctuary. It is a predator with a feared reputation across northern Australia. So when a mother and her children came within metres of a saltwater crocodile at a popular Queensland swimming spot , why didn't it attack?

Kirwan resident Alicia May said she would never return to Rollingstone Creek, north-west of Townsville, after a close encounter left her fearing for her safety. Alicia May right took her children for a swim at Rollingstone and discovered a three-metre-long crocodile. Supplied: Alicia May. Ms May was swimming in the creek on Saturday for about three hours and captured underwater footage as four of her children splashed about.

It wasn't until later that day, when she reviewed the footage, that she spotted a dark object on the creek bed.

Croc handler attacked

The Department of Environment and Science has used Ms May's footage to confirm it was a crocodile estimated to be 3 metres long. Charles Darwin University wildlife research fellow Cameron Baker said while it was difficult to pinpoint why the reptile didn't attack Ms May, it could be due to its temperament. Dr Baker said it could have been a stroke of luck and the animal may have recently fed.