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The Cooktown crocodile tragedy is coming to a close but the debate on man-eater continues as authorities and environmentalists clash over the fate of killer croc. Since this tragedy many are in favour of culling as more sightings are reported.

     

Magnetic Island – Townsville   

Cooktown, named after famous British explorer Captain James Cook and the Endeavour River named after his ship, is where two weeks ago Mr. Arthur Booker disappeared while checking his crab pots for the last time before heading home to Brisbane when tragedy struck. Unfortunately it was the last time for anything for Mr.Booker.

A crocodile attack was suspected and the hunt was on.

Traps were set and eventually three crocodiles were caught. Human remains were  found in one of them. DNA tests confirmed that they belonged to Vietnam veteran Mr.Booker.

There are calls for the culling of crocodiles but environmentalists do not agree on this course of action.

It has been decided according to news paper reports that all three crocodiles will not be destroyed. They will be re-located to crocodile farms in the region.

Crocodiles are a protected species in Australia.

To cull or not to cull has become a major issue here as more and more sightings are reported, the latest being at Magnetic Island, a popular tourist destination in Queensland.