AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION 16 October 06 Strung up croc goes missing
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service says its rangers cannot find a dead crocodile that was seen strung up from a tree at Seaforth, near Mackay, in north Queensland on Friday.
Police are investigating the case of the missing crocodile.
Acting Senior Constable Tara Stanton from Calen police says she was initially sceptical about reports that a metre-and-a-half long crocodile was found hanging from a tree at Seaforth on Friday.
"I first heard a report this morning of the croc and thought I'd come down myself to see whether it was true or not," she said.
Constable Stanton confirmed the crocodile was in the tree.
But when parks and wildlife rangers tried to find it later in the afternoon, the reptile was gone.
Investigations are continuing.
The maximum penalty for killing a crocodile outside a national park is $24,000.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200610/s1765403.htm

DAILY MERCURY (Mackay, Australia) 14 October 06 A sight that distressed the people
A young crocodile was found hanging in a tree, dead, yesterday morning along Port Newry Road at Seaforth.
There were early reports that the crocodile had been shot but by the time Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers arrived at the scene soon afterwards it had been cut down.
The rangers had intended to remove the reptile so a Mackay veterinary surgeon could conduct an autopsy but despite an extensive search of the area, including the dump and nearby Victor Creek boat ramp, the crocodile could not be found.
QPWS manager Mike Grinke said the service had first become aware of the crocodile following a morning radio report.
He warned of large fines that apply for taking, keeping or killing a protected species such as a crocodile.
"Anyone caught with a crocodile, dead or alive, will face criminal charges," Mr Grinke said.
Crocodiles are protected under the Nature Conservation Act, 1992. There is a maximum fine of $16,875 for unlawfully taking one.
The crocodile was seen by several Seaforth residents, including John O’Hara, owner of Seaforth Post Office and Store, who said he noticed it at 9.30am in the tree on Port Newry Road, halfway between Johnson Avenue and the Seaforth Boat Club. Mr O’Hara said the croc had disappeared by the time he returned to photograph it an hour later.
"It was only small, around a metre, and was hanging by the neck by a noose, much the same as people do with barra carcasses," he said.
Nearby resident Glen Dawson, who took the picture, left, also noticed the trussed-up croc and was quick enough to photograph it before its sudden removal. He said he believed it had been caught in a net by a fisherman.
"I don’t think the croc had been shot. I wasn’t able to get right up in the tree with it, but there was no sign of blood. It’s certainly caused a lot of upset with people around here," he said.
http://www.dailymercury.com.au/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3705377&thesection=localnews&thesubsection=&thesecondsubsection=