Old Faithful: Why there's concern over this iconic crocodile's detention

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Traditional owners are demanding the return of an iconic crocodile that has been captured and removed from its home in Far North Queensland.

The croc, named “Old Faithful”, is famous for being featured in the Crocodile Hunter series alongside the late Steve Irwin in the 1990s.

Back in the 90s, the conservationist Irwin was filmed “hazing” the croc, which was an attempt to deter it from approaching humans in future.

Old Faithful is also culturally significant to First Nations peoples in Far North Queensland.

Alwyn Lyall from the Rinyirru (Lakefield) Aboriginal Corporation Chairperson says Old Faithful is like a family member to the community.

“That animal — and animals like him — they play a significant role in our society as totem animals,” Lyall told SBS News.

‘Crocodiles always pay the price’

The four-and-a-half metre crocodile is now a long way from home.

Wildlife officers removed Old Faithful from the Normanby River in Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park last month, after reports that visitors were using food to lure him from the water to take photos.

He’s now at a facility in Cairns, more than 300 kilometres away.

Amanda French, from crocodile conservation advocacy group, Croc QLD says crocodiles learn very quickly to associate food with people.

“It’s a shame when it happens because the crocodile is always the one that pays the price,” French said.

The Queensland Environment Department spokesperson said public safety was its top priority, and that it was working to find it a suitable home.

“The department extensively monitored the crocodile after reports from the public raising safety concerns,” a spokesperson told SBS News.

“We understand people were using food to lure the animal from the water to take photos. Habituating crocodiles is detrimental to the animal and dangerous for people.

“The crocodile was displaying repeated and concerning behaviour that was escalating. It was ultimately removed to keep people safe.”

Old Faithful is culturally significant to First Nations peoples in Far North Queensland. Source: Supplied

Croc QLD says there’ve been over 300 letters from members of the community, scientists, tourism operators, and First Nations people call for Old Faithful to be returned to his waterhole.

There are also concerns Old Faithful is in “unsuitable captivity”, while advocates say there’s expert advice confirming he can safely return to the wild.

“I felt very sorry for that animal because, he’s been taken out of his natural habitat, been wrongly accused of harassing people for their fish,” Alwyn said.

Testing method questioned

Environmental advocates also say wildlife officers also used a “flawed” method to test the crocodile’s behaviour.

French said the method “essentially lured the crocodile to respond with bait”.

“Any crocodile is going to respond that way so it’s not a true test of an apex predator’s behaviour,” French said.

Advocates say key information was withheld during consultation with traditional owners to gain their approval to remove the crocodile.

In recent years, the state government has come under increasing pressure to balance community safety concerns with protecting the species listed as “vulnerable”.

Warren Martens, Kunggandji traditional owner is calling on the state government to consult with groups.

“I think what needs to happen now is government needs to sit down with crocodile traditional owner groups and come up with a better management plan for the removal of crocs from country.”

Rinyirru Lakefield Aboriginal Corproation has written to the Queensland Environment Minister, Andrew Powell calling for Old Faithful be returned and to set up an Indigenous-run sanctuary to home so-called “problem crocodiles”.