Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park, once home to Old Faithful. Photo: File.
The four-and-a-half metre saltwater crocodile who once called the Normanby River in Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park home is now 2000 km south in Australia Zoo.
The change of address has been met with mixed messages and emotions from the government, crocodile experts and Traditional Owners.
Old Faithful, as the croc has been named, was successfully and safely relocated from a Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service facility, according to the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI).
In a media release on 3 November, DETSI said the crocodile was initially removed from Lakefield National Park in September for public safety and moved to Cairns before being transported to the Sunshine Coast park over the 1-2 November weekend.
“Rehoming options were considered and it was determined Australia Zoo was the best-suited facility to accept and care for a crocodile of this size and significance,” the DETSI release stated.
“It was removed from the wild after we received reports of its repeated and concerning behaviour that was escalating, as a direct result of it being fed by people.
“The smooth transition for the crocodile is a testament to the collaborative efforts of Australia Zoo and DETSI, highlighting the shared goal of wildlife conservation and education.”
According to DETSI, the crocodile is considered an icon under the Nature Conservation (Estuarine Crocodile) Conservation Plan 2018, meaning it must be rehomed to a licensed crocodile facility to promote education on crocodile ecology and conservation.
The Community Representation of Crocodiles group – CROC – has questioned DETSI’s explanation and the move.
“Many are celebrating the news Old Faithful will be permanently rehomed at Australia Zoo. But there is a much deeper conversation at the heart of this story – one we have been knee-deep in for the past eight weeks,” CROC posted on its Facebook site.
“Before we call this a `win’, we need to ask: Was this the right move? And for whom?
“Old Faithful is not just an individual crocodile – he is a culturally significant animal on Country, with deep meaning to Traditional Owners.”
The group said the way the animal’s removal and relocation unfolded raised “serious concerns about how decisions are being made, who is being consulted, and whether Indigenous rights and cultural authority were genuinely respected throughout this process”.
“Transparency has been lacking,” it said.
“Indigenous engagement appears to have been sidelined.”
The Rinyirru Lakefield Aboriginal Corporation has confirmed Traditional Owners were not consulted about the initial decision to remove Old Faithful.
Old Faithful’s new address 2000 km south in Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast. Photo: Australia Zoo Facebook.
