A crocodile discovered lying in a luxury Queensland resort’s pool has been removed by wildlife rangers, with the state’s environment regulator issuing new warnings about the reptiles.
Two TikTok users posted footage of what appears to be a juvenile crocodile in the lagoon-style pool at the Sheraton Mirage in Port Douglas, in far north Queensland, on Saturday afternoon.
“I don’t want to alarm anyone, but there is a crocodile in the Sheraton pool,” Lisa Keller says in her TikTok video.
In a second video, Keller shows hotel guests continuing to sunbathe on lounge chairs around the pool.
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Another user shared footage of the crocodile along with the popular “sit back and relax” audio, often used on TikTok to poke fun at peaceful travel moments interrupted by annoying tourists. But this time, it was the crocodile causing the disturbance.
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“just a croc casually having a dip in the Grand Mirage Port Douglas pool,” user @jasssyyl posted.
A user replied that it was not the first time a crocodile made an appearance at the hotel, with another spotted on the golf course.
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A spokesperson for the Queensland Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (Detsi) on Sunday confirmed wildlife rangers responded to a report of a crocodile sighting made via the QWildlife app.
“Wildlife rangers removed and rehomed a crocodile on October 18, following a report via the QWildlife app of the animal in a Port Douglas hotel pool,” the spokesperson said.
“Crocodile warning signs have been placed in the area by wildlife officers.”
They said crocodile sightings can be reported by using the QWildlife app, completing a crocodile sighting report on the Detsi website or by calling 1300 130 372. Every report of a sighting is investigated, the spokesperson said.
Earlier this year, a large saltwater crocodile was spotted on the 10th hole fairway of the Palmer Sea Reef Golf Course, about 3km away from the Sheraton hotel. Room rates at the five-star hotel range from about $400 to $1,900 per night.
Marriott Hotels, which owns the resort, has been contacted for comment.
