32 year old Peter Reimers was attacked and killed by a saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) while cooling off in shallow water in a creek off Mission River, approximately 45km from Weipa. Remains of his legs were found on the bank by colleagues from the nearby bauxite mine. Bite marks on the legs were consistent with those of a crocodile. Explosives were thrown into the water to try and kill the crocodile, it was later found floating dead on the surface and Peter's other remains were found inside. The crocodile was reported to be 15 feet long and missing part of its tail and one leg (apparently from fighting with other crocodiles, not as a result of injuries from the explosives).
Location data
Longitude: 142.018800000000
Incident details
Outcome: Fatal
Victim Age: 32
Sex: Male
Activity Detail: Cooling off in shallow water
Witnessed: Unknown |
Overall Quality of Report |
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Forensically detailed |
Date of Incident | Date Precision |
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1975-04-26 | Precise |
Species | Certainty |
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Saltwater Crocodile | Certain |
Size (metres) | Size Precision |
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5.0 | High certainty |
Location scale | Location accuracy |
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|
Waterbody |
About the crocodilian
Saltwater Crocodile
The saltwater crocodile shares the notorious reputation of the Nile crocodile as being one of the most dangerous crocodile species to humans. It is regarded as the largest living reptile, with evidence for rare specimens reaching almost 7 m (23 ft). Saltwater crocodiles have the widest distribution of any species, being found from parts of eastern India, throughout SE Asia as far as Vanuatu. Australia is the species’ stronghold, with perhaps 150,000 individuals found in tidal rivers and creeks along the northern coastline. They are equally at home in freshwater, extending far upstream in some areas. This species can travel very long distances by sea, and itinerants can be found well outside the natural range of the species. Recently itinerants have been found within the Maldives, portions of Micronesia and in New Caledonia, while in the past itinerants have been recorded from as far as the main Japanese island of Honshu. Saltwater crocodiles were once found in southern China, but disappeared in the late 19th Century as the human population expanded. The diet of the species changes with size; juveniles feed primarily on invertebrates and small vertebrates, while adults may prey upon almost any animal within their range including fish (plus sharks), reptiles, bats, pigs, domestic livestock, monkeys, and humans. From a conservation standpoint the species is globally secure thanks to large population bases in New Guinea and Australia. Yet many populations face localized extinction (e.g. Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka) and it has already been extirpated from a substantial portion of its range (e.g. Seychelles, Thailand and Vietnam). Current threats to the species include the destruction of habitat and direct fear-related killings.
About this record
Last Updated | Contributor | Incident Link | Node | Item GUID | FKID |
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2013-10-28 12:36 | 100-4242 | 4242 |