Science · Rockhampton crocodileRockhampton golf club crocodile: Wildlife probe near proposed Olympic rowing venueWritten November 2, 2026 at 3:45 AM UTCWatchTranscript0:07A saltwater crocodile appeared near a golf club's eleventh hole.0:10The club is a few kilometers from the river precinct planned for Olympic rowing and0:13canoe sprint in two thousand and thirty.0:15Two golfers have received a warning, and wildlife authorities are investigating.0:19They now have to determine whether the animal poses a risk and should be removed.0:23North Rockhampton Golf Club alerted members over the weekend.0:26The crocodile was spotted near the eleventh hole, within a few kilometers of the0:30proposed Fitzroy River competition precinct.0:32That places the warning close to a major games project.0:35Queensland's Environment Department said on Monday, November2, that the sighting0:39hadn't been reported to it and was now under investigation.0:41A warning among club members can circulate before anyone formally contacts wildlife0:45officers.0:46Prompt reporting gives those officers a better chance of finding an animal that can0:50move considerable distances.0:51Reptile expert John Laver estimated the crocodile was up to three meters long from a0:55photograph.0:56Laver owns Corona Crocodile Farm near Rockhampton.0:59He also thought the animal was likely male.1:01Both judgments came from his assessment of the image.1:04Lever expects rangers to assess the animal's behavior before deciding on removal.1:08Queensland's rules allow a sighting report to lead to an animal being declared a1:11problem crocodile.1:12The area has been described as outside category A, where crocodiles are1:16automatically targeted for removal.1:18Lever wants a stronger approach around the planned Games venue.1:21Lever says any crocodile seen around the planned Olympic venue should be removed.1:25He immediately adds, But that's not up to me to do that.1:28It's up to the government.1:30His preference leaves the decision with wildlife authorities.1:33The council identifies the Fitzroy Rivers Barrage impoundment as a targeted1:37management area for large resident crocodiles.1:39The golf club sighting's precise position within those boundaries isn't clear.1:43Lever also suggests the previous week's rain may have encouraged movement.1:47While mating season brings males and females searching for mates, those are possible1:51explanations for this animal's activity.1:53Crocodiles can travel hundreds of kilometers through water.1:55They're especially mobile after heavy rain and floods.1:58The Fitzroy also has a long rowing history, hosting state and national regattas and2:02Australian teams preparing for the Olympics.2:04Earlier warnings show why this latest sighting has drawn attention.2:07Two sightings in December2020.2:10Four involved animals about two and a half meters and one meter long.2:13Another was recorded upstream from the rowing course on September19 this year,2:17followed by two more closer to the proposed venue.2:19Separate sightings don't tell us how many crocodiles are there now.2:22Premier David Chrissafuli defended Rockhampton's ability to host the events.2:26Rowing Australia Life member Ray Ebert reconsidered his earlier confidence about2:30crocodiles.2:31Opposition leader Steven Miles renewed his call for the technical assessment and an2:34explanation of games crocodile risk management.2:37Chrisafoli pointed to decades of success, calling the venue world class.2:41Ebert said he'd previously considered crocodiles the least of the problems, but2:44added, Maybe I was wrong.2:46He said, It's not the crocodiles that you can see that I would be worried about.2:50It's the ones that I can't see.2:51Those judgments sit alongside an unresolved approval dispute.2:55The government announced Federation endorsement on September17 th, but on October282:59, World Rowing President Jean Christophe Roland said, At present, it is not3:04approved.3:04His outstanding questions concerned floods.3:06The Start Tower and Spectator Access.3:09The independent assessment involved the Games Infrastructure Authority and3:12Waterproof Marine Consultancy and Services.3:13It found the course met International Federation technical requirements.3:17Chrisafuli called that passing with flying colors.3:20His joint announcement with Deputy Premier Jarod Bleiji named World Rowing and3:24Paddle Worldwide as endorsing rowing, power rowing, canoe sprint, and paracanoe3:29events.3:29Roland's later statement leaves final approval unsettled, with further planning3:33needed for competition facilities and services.3:35His objections concern those planning questions.3:37For this crocodile, the department hasn't announced a completed ranger assessment or3:41a removal decision.3:42The immediate outcome depends on what officers find about its location and behavior.3:46Queensland accepts sightings through the Q Wildlife app, its online reporting form3:50or one thousand three hundred one hundred thirty three hundred seventy two option3:53one.3:54Delays make a moving crocodile harder to locate.3:56For an emergency, call Triple Zero.Read the articleStory timelineHeyDex
