Crocodile sightings in Port Douglas at the weekend has prompted warnings for people to be “croc wise”.

There were reports of a four metre crocodile swimming near the Dickson Inlet on Saturday, as well as a sighting of a croc swimming off the town end of Four Mile Beach. On September 22, local surf lifesavers issued an alert to swimmers at Four Mile to exit the water, after a crocodile was sighted near the middle of the beach.

The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) said it received advice via Cairns Police of a reported crocodile sighting at the southern end of Four Mile Beach on Saturday.

In line with local arrangements, the advice was passed on to Surf Life Saving Queensland to investigate. 

“It’s very important that people continue to exercise Crocwise behaviour in croc country,” a spokesperson for the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection said.

This includes:

• Obeying croc warning signs
• Not swimming or letting pets swim in waters where crocs may live
• Being aware crocodiles also swim in the ocean
• Standing back from the water when fishing or cast netting
• Never provoking, harassing or feeding crocs
• Never leaving  food, fish scraps or bait near the water, a camp site or boat ramp, and
• Always supervising children.

Despite the sightings, no warning signs in addition to the permanent one, pictured, were evident at Four Mile on Monday, with numerous beachgoers in the water and on the beach.

Crocodile sightings in urban or popular recreational areas should be reported to EHP as soon as possible on 1300 130 372. All reports of crocodile sightings are investigated.

Further information on crocodiles and being Crocwise is available on EHP’s website at www.ehp.qld.gov.au.