Saltwater crocodile injures man at Barred Creek, north of Broome
The DBCA said the man was injured after he stepped on the crocodile. (ABC Kimberley: Esse Deves)
In short:
A 35-year-old fisherman has become the fourth person to be injured by a crocodile in WA's Kimberley in the past six months.
Authorities say the man was fishing in waist-deep water at Barred Creek, north of Broome, late last month when he trod on the saltwater crocodile.
He was discharged from Broome Hospital after his injuries were treated.
Western Australia has recorded its fourth person injured by a crocodile this year after a man trod on a saltwater crocodile at a popular Kimberley fishing spot.
The 35-year-old was fishing in waist-deep water at Barred Creek, about 40 kilometres north of Broome, when he was apparently bitten late last month.
He was taken to Broome Hospital for treatment and eventually discharged, the WA Country Health Service has confirmed.
DBCA officers set traps in an attempt to catch the crocodile (not pictured), but were unsuccessful. (Supplied: Erick Kennedy — file photo)
A Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) spokesperson said initial reports described the crocodile as being about 3 metres in length, but this could not be confirmed by officers who attended the site and spoke with those involved.
"Despite deploying a trap in the creek immediately following the incident, there were no further sightings of the crocodile," the spokesperson said.
Barred Creek is popular with tourists and residents for recreational activities including fishing, mud crabbing and four-wheel driving.
The DBCA said the man was fishing in waist-deep water. (ABC Kimberley: Esse Deves — file photo)
Saltwater crocodiles are regularly seen in Dampier Peninsula area and are known to inhabit the creek systems and mangroves.
The incident marks the fourth known time a person has been injured by a crocodile in the Kimberley in six months.
Previous attacks have occurred nearby on the Dampier Peninsula, including at the remote La Djardarr Bay Community, where a man suffered lacerations to his body from a 3-metre saltwater crocodile in January.
The popular camping spot where the incident happened is accessed by the unsealed Manari Road, north of Broome. (ABC Kimberley: Andrew Seabourne)
In April, a man was asleep in his swag at a popular camping spot past Coulomb Point Nature Reserve when he was attacked by a "large crocodile".
Also this year, a pet dog survived with minor injuries after it was dragged in the upper Ord river, about 70 kilometres south of Kununurra.
The DBCA spokesperson said crocodiles were common in the Kimberley and urged people to "be crocwise" by taking appropriate precautions around the region's waterways.