Beloved Far North Queensland Crocodile ‘Big John' found drowned and decapitated, prompting wildlife investigation
The estuarine crocodile, recognisable by a missing tip on his tail, was discovered dead in Yarrabah Bay in Far North Queensland, a remote community about a 50 min drive from Cairns, on July 30.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
A spokesperson from the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) confirmed to 7NEWS.com.au the crocodile had been drowned in a fishing net before being removed and then decapitated.
Under Queensland law, saltwater crocodiles are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, with penalties of up to $37,552 for the illegal killing of the species.
'More than a crocodile'
The disturbing discovery has sparked public outrage and prompted a formal investigation by wildlife authorities.
The Gunggandji-Mandingalbay Yidinji Aboriginal Corporation's ranger program has been keeping track of Big John since 2020.
'We estimate he was between 60-100 years old and approximately 4.3m long, give or take,' the organisation said.
The crocodile's death was confirmed on World Ranger Day, while carrying out culturally grounded conservation work on Country.
In an emotional tribute on social media, the community described Big John as a guardian of their waterways, a powerful symbol of the balance between reef and rainforest, and a living link to ancestral knowledge and Country.
'A keeper of balance, a guardian bold, a presence as sacred as stories told.
'He was more than a creature, more than a name — an icon of Country, wild and untame.'
The Rangers said his passing is not only a loss to biodiversity, but also to cultural memory and Indigenous custodianship of the land.
Broader concerns over protections
The circumstances of Big John's death have reignited concerns over crocodile safety and illegal activities involving protected wildlife, especially in remote or culturally significant regions.
While crocodiles are often feared, experts and Traditional Owners highlight their ecological importance as apex predators helping regulate aquatic ecosystems.
Their removal, particularly through illegal or inhumane means, can disrupt delicate environmental balances and sever deep cultural connections.
Big John's death follows a string of similar grim discoveries in 2018, when the decapitation of several crocodiles across Far North Queensland sparked fears that trophy hunters were deliberately targeting the protected species.
DETSI has not confirmed whether any suspects have been identified at this stage, but investigations remain ongoing.
Authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward, anonymously if preferred.
Information can be reported by calling 1300 130 372 or by lodging a wildlife complaint form via the DETSI website.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
10 hours ago
- Perth Now
Teen exchange student dies in shocking stabbing at host family home
A teenage girl visiting Australia on a cultural exchange program has been fatally stabbed and a fellow student has been arrested. The 14-year-old was found with a stab wound to her torso at her host family's home on Euston Close, Edgeworth, in Newcastle's west, about 10.20pm on Monday. The two girls had retired to their separate rooms when the host mother heard a commotion and went to check, finding the injured girl. She was rushed to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition but later died from her injuries. A 13-year-old girl, known to the victim, was arrested at the scene and is assisting police with their inquiries. Police seized a kitchen knife from the scene, believed to have been taken from a drawer. The house where both girls were staying with the same host family. Credit: 7NEWS Both girls were part of a cultural exchange program from China, attending a local school and visiting sites around the Hunter area, Superintendent Tracy Chapman told reporters on Tuesday. They arrived in Australia eight days ago and were expected to leave on August 16. Police believe the girls did not know each other before arriving and only became acquainted through the program. They were staying with a host family consisting of a man and a woman in their 50s. No other people were in the house that night. Police are still trying to determine the nature of the relationship between the two girls. 'Obviously extensive inquiries with other students, teachers, parents and the hosts, of course, to establish what the relationship was prior to last night,' Chapman said. She added that the investigation may take longer due to language barriers and the girls not being Australian residents. 'Investigation with young girls involved language barriers, working through the consulate, (and) they're not Australian residents, obviously,' she said. 'So there are obvious complications and complexities with that, which is why it's taken us some time to work through.' No charges have been laid yet, but Superintendent Chapman said charges are expected to be filed later on Tuesday afternoon. Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
7NEWS
12 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Beloved Far North Queensland Crocodile ‘Big John' found drowned and decapitated, prompting wildlife investigation
An iconic saltwater crocodile known to locals as Big John has been found drowned and decapitated. The estuarine crocodile, recognisable by a missing tip on his tail, was discovered dead in Yarrabah Bay in Far North Queensland, a remote community about a 50 min drive from Cairns, on July 30. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today A spokesperson from the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) confirmed to the crocodile had been drowned in a fishing net before being removed and then decapitated. Under Queensland law, saltwater crocodiles are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, with penalties of up to $37,552 for the illegal killing of the species. 'More than a crocodile' The disturbing discovery has sparked public outrage and prompted a formal investigation by wildlife authorities. The Gunggandji-Mandingalbay Yidinji Aboriginal Corporation's ranger program has been keeping track of Big John since 2020. 'We estimate he was between 60-100 years old and approximately 4.3m long, give or take,' the organisation said. The crocodile's death was confirmed on World Ranger Day, while carrying out culturally grounded conservation work on Country. In an emotional tribute on social media, the community described Big John as a guardian of their waterways, a powerful symbol of the balance between reef and rainforest, and a living link to ancestral knowledge and Country. 'A keeper of balance, a guardian bold, a presence as sacred as stories told. 'He was more than a creature, more than a name — an icon of Country, wild and untame.' The Rangers said his passing is not only a loss to biodiversity, but also to cultural memory and Indigenous custodianship of the land. Broader concerns over protections The circumstances of Big John's death have reignited concerns over crocodile safety and illegal activities involving protected wildlife, especially in remote or culturally significant regions. While crocodiles are often feared, experts and Traditional Owners highlight their ecological importance as apex predators helping regulate aquatic ecosystems. Their removal, particularly through illegal or inhumane means, can disrupt delicate environmental balances and sever deep cultural connections. Big John's death follows a string of similar grim discoveries in 2018, when the decapitation of several crocodiles across Far North Queensland sparked fears that trophy hunters were deliberately targeting the protected species. DETSI has not confirmed whether any suspects have been identified at this stage, but investigations remain ongoing. Authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward, anonymously if preferred. Information can be reported by calling 1300 130 372 or by lodging a wildlife complaint form via the DETSI website.
Sky News AU
13 hours ago
- Sky News AU
NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro tears into coroner who presented Kumanjayi Walker inquest findings in Yuendumu in front of an Indigenous activist banner
Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro says the coroner has questions to answer about the way she delivered her findings into the death of Kumanjayi Walker, an Indigenous man shot dead by police. But as the Government continued its criticism of Coroner Elisabeth Armitage, a senior barrister said the attacks were 'personal' and an attempt to distract from the gravity of her findings. Last week Sky News revealed former police officer Zachary Rolfe, who shot Walker dead at Yuendumu in November 2019, had made a formal complaint to the NT Judicial Commission accusing Ms Armitage of bias. Part of his complaint relates to the coroner delivering her findings at the PAW Media building in Yuendumu in front of a banner belonging to an activist group that had previously called for Mr Rolfe to be speared in an act of customary lore. Asked on Mix FM radio if she thought it was appropriate for the coroner to deliver her findings in front of the banner, Mrs Finocchiaro said: 'Of course not. Now, if you give the benefit of the doubt it was put up while she was speaking so the coroner might not have been aware that it had happened - certainly her staff would have been there and would have seen it as did the rest of the universe. 'There's valid questions to be raised, obviously Mr Rolfe is availing himself of that opportunity and all positions come with a level of accountability and the coroner's no exception to that.' But barrister Phillip Boulten SC, who represented the North Australia Aboriginal Justice Agency at the inquest, told Sky News the decision did not indicate bias on the part of the coroner. 'The banner shouldn't have been there but the coroner didn't put it there,' he said. 'The coroner had her spot marked out, she went to the spot that had been marked out but by the time she got there someone had put it there. You can't blame the coroner for that and it certainly doesn't demonstrate bias on her part, that someone put a banner up.' Mr Boulten slammed the Finocchiaro Government for its attacks on Ms Armitage since she delivered her final report into Walker's death last month, which said Mr Rolfe was a racist and that should couldn't rule out the possibility racism played a part in Walker's death. 'The attacks against this coroner are personal, they are driven by a very basic opposition to her findings,' Mr Boulten said. 'It is uncomfortable for the government to hear a judicial officer call out systemic, racist attitudes in the police force in the Northern Territory.' Mrs Finocchiaro said the government maintained confidence in the coroner but had concerns about the length and cost of some of her inquiries. The inquest into Mr Walker's death, which took almost three years, has cost three NT Government departments more than $8 million. The Government has since flagged possible changes to the Coroner's Act. 'There's a way in which sometimes the coroner chooses to do things certainly grates a lot of people the wrong way and I'm sure it has people who love it as well, so it's one of those things but accountability is what's really important,' Mrs Finocchiaro said. 'We don't believe these things should be dragged on as long as they are being, we don't believe they should be costing as much as they are, so it's something we've got to take a look at and the Attorney-General is leading that work.' Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Robyn Cahill also criticised the coroner last week, describing her final report into the deaths of four Aboriginal women killed in domestic violence incidents as 'uninspiring' and 'underwhelming'. Mr Boulten said the Government's criticism of the coroner was short-sighted and reactionary. 'It should be time for a government to be considering what they can do (to respond to her findings), rather than to attack the coroner,' he said.
