THE man who was briefly attacked by a crocodile at the Bloomfield Boat Ramp on Wednesday night was about to go for a swim in his budgie smugglers.
Cape York Weeklycan report the 36-year-old man, who was not a local resident, was being filmed at the time of the attack.
The man was with his dog at the newly-refurbished boat ramp, stripped down to his swimmers, and was about knee-high in the water when the croc bit him.
However, the croc only grabbed him briefly before releasing him and grabbing the dog.
The dog is presumed dead and the man was treated at the scene before being transported to the Wujal Wujal clinic. He was then airlifted to Cairns Hospital where he remains in a stable condition.
It’s understood he has minor lacerations and puncture marks on his lower leg.
There are clearly marked signs at the Bloomfield Boat Ramp warning of the dangers of crocodiles in the area.
“There are reports going around that the man was letting his dog have a swim. That’s just bullshit because it’s saltwater. The video shows him in his budgie smugglers getting him into the water,” a local official said.
Wildlife officers from the Department of Environment and Science will now target the crocodile involved for removal.
Cape York Weekly understands the croc responsible for the attack was not the “big one” seen frequently in the Bloomfield and Ayton area.
DES said it was liaising with Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council and the Queensland Police Service to gather information to assist with the ongoing response.
This was the first crocodile attack on a human in Queensland since November 2021, when a man was attacked at the McIvor River, north of Cooktown.
“This incident is a timely reminder for people to be croc-wise in croc country and not to be complacent with their own safety or the safety of their family or pets when they are in or near the water,” a DES spokesperson said.
“Members of the public are encouraged to report all crocodile sightings to the department as soon as possible by using the QWildlife App for smart phones or by calling 1300 130 372. DES investigates all reports it receives.
“Under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan, the Bloomfield boat ramp is in Zone E, which means that any crocodile displaying dangerous behaviour is targeted for removal.
“The Bloomfield River is well-known croc country and people in that area are reminded to be croc-wise at all times.”
