HERALD SUN (Melbourne, Australia) 18 Maxch 05 Saltie released in tourist lagoon (Heather Quinlan)
Authorities are hunting for a dangerous saltwater crocodile accidentally released by police into a popular lagoon in the far north of Western Australia.
Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) staff have set traps at scenic Lily Creek Lagoon, near the tourist town of Kununurra, in an attempt to recapture the 1.8m reptile.
Warnings have been issued for children and dogs to avoid the area while the crocodile is on the loose, CALM's Kimberley district wildlife officer Brad Rushforth said today.
Kununurra police had confused the saltie with the common and much less dangerous freshwater species, Mr Rushforth said.
Police officers made the mistake after they had removed the crocodile from a woman's laundry.
The shocked woman had returned from a holiday late at night to find a taped-up crocodile – caught by an authorised crocodile catcher who had planned to take it to a nearby crocodile sanctuary – in her home.
The catcher is a friend of the woman's son.
"The police took a few photos and put it in the back of one of their vehicles and someone with them at the time described it as freshwater croc," Mr Rushforth told ABC Radio.
"Based on that information, they thought: We might as well let it go.
"A few days later I received a call from police saying we have some photos you might be interested in, so I had a look and I knew reasonably quickly that they had released a saltwater crocodile into Lily Creek Lagoon, in Lake Kununurra, which is a crocodile management zone.
"That means if there is a saltwater or estuarine crocodile sighted in there (CALM) are able to have it removed for public safety reasons."
Lily Creek Lagoon is a popular spot for boating, walking and bird-watching, with a caravan park and other accommodation located on its shores.
The crocodile was relatively small, but, with the potential to grow to 6 to 7m, it posed a threat if not recaptured, Mr Rushforth said.
After setting a trap about 50m downstream from the boat ramp where the crocodile was released, CALM had conducted a spotlight patrol which had failed to locate the reptile, he said.
"We're planning to put another trap in further downstream and continue spotlight patrols until it is found. We've got a bit of work to do now," Mr Rushforth said.
"There are thousands and thousands of freshwater crocs in Lily Creek Lagoon, it's like looking for a needle in a haystack."
WA would not comment on the crocodile hunt.
Saltie released in tourist lagoon