Crocodile ventures into Bramston Beach, trapped using wheelie bins

A saltwater crocodile was discovered in a children’s playground south of Cairns on Tuesday. The 1.5-metre long crocodile, found in Bramston Beach, Queensland, was trapped in a wheelie bin by a group of people before wildlife officials arrived at the scene.

According to a spokesman of the Department of Environment, heavy rainfall in North and Far North Queensland could have caused the crocodile to venture into the beach. "With heavy rains in parts of far north Queensland, crocodiles may turn up in unexpected places," the spokesman said. "Crocodiles prefer calmer waters and they may be on the move as they search out a quiet place where they can wait for the floodwaters to recede.”

As reported by the AAP (via Yahoo), the department has urged residents to maintain caution. More crocodiles could possibly show up, the department added. After the animal in question was taken, it was relocated to a holding facility.

On New Year’s Eve, a 3.5-metre crocodile had ventured into a small north Queensland fishing town. Locals attempted to contain the animal, which appeared in the backyard on Karumba’s waterfront Esplanade on the morning of Dec. 31, using rubbish bins and hay bales. The crocodile had progressed to the front gate of the property.

According to ABC, resident Danielle Day said the animal had been on two accommodation complexes before making its way into the backyard. She said as a resident of nearly 10 years she had never seen a crocodile “come up on to the road and come up to where people stay.”

As reported by AAP (via Guardian), 223 saltwater crocodiles were pulled out by the Northern Territory last year. In 2015, the same number stood at 290.

In a press release, the Queensland Police said locals “initially orchestrated a line of wheelie bins in an attempt to funnel him back towards the water but it became clear he wasn’t keen to move.”