Targeted croc found and put down in N Qld

Environment and Heritage officers believe they have found the crocodile involved in the fatal attack on Cindy Waldron.

A crocodile

Wildlife officers have captured and put down a crocodile believed to have killed a NZ-born tourist. (AAP)

Wildlife officers have captured and put down a 4.3 metre crocodile believed to have killed New Zealand-born tourist Cindy Waldron in far north Queensland.

The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) removed the estuarine crocodile from Cooper Creek, near Thornton Beach where Ms Waldron was taken on Sunday night, and euthanised the reptile.

"Wildlife officers believe the 4.3m crocodile is the target animal due to its size and location," Queensland police said in a statement on Friday evening.

"The 4.3m estuarine crocodile was humanely euthanised. It is being transported to a secure EHP facility in Cairns."

Police have requested the remains of the reptile be examined to determine if it was responsible for the fatal attack.

It was the second croc removed as part of the investigation into the death of Ms Waldron, 46, who was dragged underwater at Thornton Beach after venturing into the waist-deep water with friend Leeann Mitchell last Sunday night.

Police had earlier requested the remains of another crocodile, smaller at 2.5 metres, trapped in one of three caged devices be examined.

The animal's stomach contents were "unidentifiable" and required further analysis.

A police spokesman told AAP investigators believed the crocodile was not the one responsible but weren't able to conclusively rule it out until scientific tests return.

A longtime NSW resident, Ms Waldron's father Pat and sister Anna-Lee Annett flew to Cairns from New Zealand earlier this week to be closer to where she spent her final days.

They made an emotional visit to Thornton Beach to say goodbye after expressing gratitude for the massive search effort.

"We need to be here and cry on the beach," said Mr Waldron, who did not want the crocodile harmed.

"There's signs everywhere - don't go swimming with the crocodiles.

"She'd do crazy things. And what she did there is a crazy thing, absolutely."

The fatal attack has prompted the state government to allocate an extra $5.8 million over three years for comprehensive population surveys and crocodile management.


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Source: AAP



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