Following Hogbin’s tragic death, Queensland authorities have called for an end to a local practice of feeding crocodiles in the Annan River.
After an extensive search for the crocodile, which is well known by Cooktown locals, the animal was found in a creek four kilometres upstream of where the man went missing.
Hogbin was on a 4WD and camping trip to Far North Queensland when he was killed in a crocodile attack.
The crocodile had distinct markings on its snout consistent with those on the animal involved in the attack.
The crocodile was euthanised and human remains were found inside its stomach. Further testing will be conducted to confirm the identity; however, police believe the remains belong Hogbin.
The area of the Annan River near where Hogbin was killed is known by locals as “crocodile bend”. Several locals told this masthead the section of the river is an almost guaranteed crocodile watching spot.
Riverbend Tours Cooktown operator Nick Davidson runs boat tours of the Endeavour River. He said locals will often throw roadkill and dead fish from the bridge, which gets snapped up by a resident crocodile.
“It’s a truly frightening situation, it’s the stuff of nightmares … it’s definitely rocked the town,” he said.
Davidson said the resident crocodile has been spotted by locals for decades and could be as old as 60.
Videos have emerged on social media showing a crocodile jumping out of the river to snap up fish carcasses thrown by locals. A spokesperson for the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation said they are calling on anyone with information about deliberate crocodile feeding to report it.
The boat ramp below the Annan River bridge.Credit: Google Maps
“Feeding of crocodiles at riverbanks or boat ramps encourages them to hang around, waiting for their next meal. This can place future visitors to the area at a much greater risk of attack if they approach or enter the water,” the spokesperson said.
“People should never feed crocodiles or give easy access to food or fish scraps. Crocodiles have been around for millions of years, and they can source their own food.”
The penalty for deliberately feeding a wild crocodile in Queensland is a $6452 fine.
Senior Sergeant Greg Finucane said on Sunday that a large crocodile had been spotted in the area where the man went missing.
“Condolences go to the family who are obviously very traumatised at the moment,” he said.
A spokesperson from the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation said Cooktown is known as “Croc Country” and warned visitors to expect crocodiles in all northern and far northern Queensland waterways.
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