CAIRNS POST (Australia) 13 December 08 They were warned (Robert Reid)
Experienced croc handlers warned the State Government six years ago that human fatalities were certain to occur under its policy of relocating "problem" animals.
In the wake of fatal attacks on Barry Jefferies in Lakefield National Park in 2005 and Arthur Booker at Cooktown last month, former Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service ranger Ian Lawson and crocodile taxidermist Mick Pitman said their warnings in July 2002 went unheeded with predictable results.
Mr Lawson, who has 20 years experience observing and capturing crocs, told The Weekend Post his 2002 statement that the QPWS policy of "humans must learn to live with crocodiles" was wrong then and is wrong today.
"Try telling that to kids, the dumb and ignorant among us, and tourists who constantly ignore crocodile
warning signs," he said.
Mr Pitman, who hunted crocodiles with the legendary "German" Jack Kiel in Cape York, said he had continually urged Queensland authorities to put public safety "at the top of the list in all cases of problem crocodiles".
"The Government is too pro-crocodile and not enough pro-human. They were told that somebody would be taken, and they have been, so the Government's mismanagement policy is liable for those deaths."
Mr Pitman, who now works in the Northern Territory with Aboriginal actor David Gulpilil, said indigenous people should be licensed to hunt problem crocodiles.
"This would benefit everybody. It would save lives and provide jobs and income for Aboriginal people."
Mr Lawson and Mr Pitman's comments follow a QPWS whistleblower's letter to Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg, who tabled it in Parliament last month.
The letter claims the crocodiles that attacked Mr Jefferies and Mr Booker were "classified dangerous crocodiles" and were previously trapped and handled by QPWS rangers.
Mr Pitman also called for an inquiry into a government arrangement for Australia Zoo to assist with "crocodile management activities".
They were warned