Human remains have been found in a large crocodile that was shot dead after a father was caught in front of his family while fishing.
The New South Wales family were on a caravan trip through Far North Queensland and were fishing near the Annan River Bridge, south of Cooktown, shortly after 2pm on Saturday when the 40-year-old man went missing.
He was dragged underwater by a 4.9-metre-long crocodile and the shocking incident traumatised his wife and children who were nearby.
The crocodile was shot dead by rangers at 2pm on Monday before the carcass was handed over to police and its stomach contents examined.
Queensland Police released a statement on Tuesday revealing that human remains had been found inside the predator.
“A formal identification process is underway but the remains are believed to be those of a missing 40-year-old man from New South Wales,” the statement said.
Further tests will be carried out to determine the identity of the suspect. The search and rescue operation has been suspended.
‘Police are working with wildlife officers as investigations continue.’
Disturbing footage has emerged showing people feeding crocodiles upriver from where a man was swept away by a “large crocodile” while fishing with his family.
This comes after disturbing videos emerged on social media showing people throwing fish or meat scraps into the water to wait for crocodiles upriver from where the man was killed.
“Is that the big one?” one man is heard asking before another replies: “Yeah, it’s pretty big,” while a woman exclaims: “Oh, there are two in there!”
A child is then heard saying “attack” moments before a crocodile surfaces and takes a bite of food thrown into the water.
Another video shows a crocodile swimming to the water’s edge and eating a large fish on the riverbank.
“What a pig,” the woman said. “I think he just said ‘thank you.'”
It is unknown when the video was taken, but captions suggest it took place on the Annan River in Cooktown.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Queensland Department of Environment for comment.
The department said it was “very concerned” by the videos as they showed that feeding the crocodiles caused the animals to become accustomed to humans.
“It is illegal to feed crocodiles in Queensland and anyone with information about the deliberate feeding of crocodiles is encouraged to call 1300 130 372 and report their information. Reports can be made anonymously,” the department told 7News.
‘Feeding crocodiles on river banks or boat ramps encourages them to stay there waiting for their next meal.
‘This may expose future visitors to the area to a much greater risk of attack if they approach or enter the water.
‘People should never feed crocodiles or give them easy access to food or fish scraps.’
The department said crocodiles, which have been around for millions of years, are able to obtain their own food thanks to their highly developed sense of smell.
He added that the crocodile responsible for dragging the man underwater was believed to have “had a distinctive marking on its snout.”
The slaughtered reptile was handed over to police and its stomach contents will be examined by a forensic expert.
A team including police, rangers and SES had resumed their They are looking for the man at 7 am on Monday.
“We’ve been patrolling the riverbank. There’s quite a large area, about 5km of waterway, that’s subject to tides,” Cooktown police Senior Sergeant Greg Finucane said on Sunday.
The fishing spot where the man was attacked is a known habitat for the reptiles.
A Cooktown resident said the crocodile had associated people with food as some locals were feeding it roadkill from upriver.
“People throw roadkill in for food, but it’s possible they were sitting 15 feet under water waiting to be fed,” a Cooktown resident told the Cairns Post.
The 40-year-old man was attacked by a crocodile in front of his wife and children while fishing near the Annan River Bridge, south of Cooktown. (pictured, a baited crocodile trap is placed in the water)
‘There’s been a bit of rain so the bench would have been soft and even if he hadn’t been near the edge it could have collapsed underneath him.
“It’s just horrible and everyone is feeling sorry for the family; to see that happen in front of you is unthinkable.”
Police declined to comment on speculation that members of the public had been feeding the crocodiles in the vicinity.
A team including police, rangers and SES had resumed their They are looking for the man at 7 am on Monday.
Police have not confirmed what part of New South Wales the family is from or the ages of the victim’s children.
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