AUTHORISED officers within the Douglas Shire could soon be able to shoot problem crocodiles with rubber bullets in a new crocodile management strategy for the region.

The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) said a request from Council to train staff to conduct the hazing technique was being submitted to the federal Government as part of a statewide review.

The proactive approach is a welcome response to growing criticism within the community that EHP officers are too slow to act on crocodile’s displaying stalking behaviour.

A large crocodile causing anxiety at the Daintree Ferry was used as an example of the limitations on the current system. Wildlife officers from EHP made multiple attempts to haze the 3.5 metre animal last month, but it had eluded them by the time they arrived.

Under the new proposal put forward by Mayor Julia Leu, a trained Council officer on the ferry could have shot the crocodile on site. EHP agreed this scenario would have been an effective response and they were considering the proposal.

“Douglas Shire Council’s suggestion about hazing will be included in that (Government) report,” an EHP spokesperson said.

“In the case of the Daintree Ferry crocodile, to be effective the hazing would have had to occur when the animal was right next to the ferry.”

Hazing involves shooting a targeted crocodile, usually around the tail or flank, with rubber pellets in an attempt to frighten them out of an area or discourage them from approaching humans. It has been widely used in the Northern Territory and other parts of the world.??

The federal Government has also committed $5.8 million over the next three years for crocodile management in Queensland, stressing any new management arrangements will be based on the best available scientific information.