Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers have been engaged with search and rescue efforts after a man went missing in a feared crocodile attack in far-north Queensland over the weekend.
At around 2:10pm on Saturday afternoon, Police received reports a 40-year-old man from NSW fell into the Annan River, near Cooktown, and failed to resurface.
Police understand the man was with his wife and children and other witnesses at the time of the accident when he fell from a bank metres above the water.
"Initial investigations have indicated that a crocodile may be involved in this incident. However, the search is continuing at this time," Acting Chief Superintendent Shane Holmes said on Monday.
"A number of animals have been sighted in the area, and experts are still making those assessments."
Search operations were launched and have continued into the following days, with water, police, State Emergency Service volunteers, drones, helicopters, boats and Department of Environment and Science Wildlife Officers involved.
Chief Superintendent Holmes said on Monday there has been crocodile activity in the water "earlier on".
"We've got upwards of about 15 resources in the area…to search quite a large area there to try and identify the responsible animal".
Department of Environment, Science and Innovation senior conservation officer Daniel Guymer said the Annan River "is well within known crocodile habitat".
The Cooktown-based Yuku Baja Muliku Rangers have deployed crocodile traps within the current efforts.
As of 2pm Monday afternoon no crocodiles had been captured.
"In relation to the crocodile of interest, the reports we have received is that we are potentially looking for a very large crocodile," Mr Guymer said
"We are pursuing various avenues of inquiry in relation to its description.
"There have been some suggestions that the crocodile may have a white scar on its snout, and that's certainly something that we're taking into consideration when we are looking for an animal potentially involved in this missing person search."
Mr Guymer said any crocodile identified as potentially involved in the disappearance will be "targeted for removal" under Queensland crocodile management plans.
"I can't attest to the expressed wishes presently of the Traditional Owners of that area, but we do certainly communicate with them and take their wishes on board," he said, in relation to rangers' feelings on being engaged with to set traps.
It is understood video of people feeding a crocodile believed to be near the area has circulated online.
My Guymer reminded the public the behaviour is "very risky and it's very reckless" and a finable offence, and that crocodiles "pick up on" and are encouraged to stay around areas where "food-associated events" occur.
"Anyone with information or evidence in relation to the unlawful feeding of dangerous boiler are encouraged to report that information to the Department, and it can be reported anonymously," he said.
"Any information and evidence in relation to alleged illegal activities, such as the unlawful feeding of a crocodile at that location, they will be investigated by our wildlife officers."
