Footage of a large crocodile swimming upstream with a cow, has gone viral after a North Queensland producer captured it on camera.
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Sharing his experience on social media, beef producer Luke Quartermaine from Watson River Station, 120 kilometres south of Weipa, was surprised when his video went viral.
After checking dams and waterholes, Mr Quartermaine noticed the large crocodile while returning home in his helicopter.
“Flying over the north end of the block next to Kuracuoo River, only 35 to 40 kilometres north of the homestead, I saw a massive croc swimming upstream with a heifer in its mouth,” he said.
“I didn’t see the croc take it but it was the biggest croc I have seen in a long time. Comparing it to the size of the heifer, it definitely wasn’t small.”
Running 4500 grey Brahmans on half of his 89,031-hectare property, Mr Quartermaine said it was difficult to count how many head he loses to crocodiles each year.
“For every cow and croc you do witness, it makes you wonder how many you don’t see,” he said.
“During the wet season we can have anything up to 65 inches [1651mm] of rain. This enables the crocs to go wherever they want.
“In the wet season we distribute wet season supplement lick and you always have to watch your back in case there is a croc just sitting there waiting for you.
“Every small puddle or big puddle, you can almost guarantee there is a croc in it – we see them everywhere.
“Crocs are definitely becoming an issue for beef producers, but it is not just us. Anyone who has something to do with the land is affected by crocs.
“I have heard of producers losing working dogs and livestock and I am all for a cull because it is getting really bad and affecting people’s livelihood.”
This is the second video that has surfaced of a croc taking a cow in northern Australia, with a similar incident taking place in the Kimberley in July.