The hunt is on to trap a large saltwater crocodile seen near Maryborough, well south of its traditional habitat.

Experts say the reptile is capable of swimming up to 50 kilometres a day.

Dominick Czakliew reports.

TRANSCRIPT

It is extremely rare for crocs to be sighted this far south.

But one adventurous reptile made its way down all the way to the Mary River, 250 kilometres north of Brisbane.

Craig Franklin, University of Queensland: “Crocodiles use the coast line, the ocean as highways and they can move from a river system to riversystem. We also know they can swim at least fifty kilometres per day.”

A commercial fisherman spotted the 3.5 metre croc yesterday on a mud bank only two kilometres away from busy Maryborough.

Croc country typically reaches as far south as the Boyne River near Gladstone, 500 kilometres north of Brisbane.

Craig Franklin, University of Queensland: “There is no suitable breeding habitat down here in the southern rivers, so we won’t see a sudden explosion down here.”

With crocodile numbers on the rise experts say rare sightings in South East Queensland could become more frequent.

Adam Northam, Senior Ranger: “We are asking that individuals and boaties stay away from the trap once the trap is set, main reason being we don’t want the animal to become shy of the area or become alarmed.”

Once the crocodile is captured it will be relocated to a crocodile farm or zoo.

Dominick Czakliew, QUT News.