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By Robyn White
Nature Reporter
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A gigantic crocodile leaped from the water and onto a man's boat with its "jaws wide open" in Australia.
The seasoned fisherman had been angling at Jane Creek, near St. Helens Beach near Mackay in Queensland, on December 31 when the crocodile began approaching the boat.
"This would have been a frightening incident for the fisherman who we are told is a long-term local who has fished in Jane Creek for decades," senior wildlife officer Jane Burns at the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation said in a statement.
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As soon as the man spotted the large crocodile approaching his vessel, he moved to the back of the boat and went to start his engine.
"The crocodile swam under the tinnie [boat], then turned and launched itself up and into the vessel with its jaws wide open," Burns said.
The fisherman leapt over the gigantic reptile towards the end of the boat and grabbed the anchor. Luckily, the crocodile turned which overbalanced the boat, and it fell back into the water.
There was not much damage to the boat, although the huge reptile bent the rails of the boat as it fell back overboard.
"The fisherman went to the boat ramp at Black Rock Creek. He told us he had never seen such a large crocodile behaving that way in the region before," Burns said. "Our team are being mobilized from Mackay to conduct a daytime site assessment and install recent crocodile sighting warning signs at suitable access points. Should we not confirm the presence of a crocodile during our daytime search, we will conduct a nighttime spotlight assessment in Jane Creek when tidal conditions are suitable."
If a crocodile is found in the area, wildlife officials will observe its behavior to determine whether it poses a risk to the public.
Wildlife officials monitor the behavior of crocodiles that have been threatening to humans. Although crocodiles rarely attack humans, and do not hunt them as prey, they can reach enormous sizes and inflict serious damage.
If this crocodile is determined to be a public threat, officials will target it for "removal from the wild," Burns said.
Australia is home to several crocodile species including freshwater crocodiles and saltwater crocodiles.
Saltwater crocodiles tend to be more aggressive than their freshwater relatives. In fact, these crocodiles can reach lengths of up to 23 feet, sometimes weighing as much as 2,205 pounds.
It is not certain why some crocodiles pose more of a threat than others.
Sometimes, crocodiles that are fed by humans lose their fear of them, meaning they are more likely to approach.
In this particular area, crocodiles are very active, Burns said.
"People who are using Jane Creek or St. Helens Beach should be extremely vigilant, because the Mackay region is Croc Country, and people should avoid complacency around waterways," the wildlife officer said. "Crocodiles are highly mobile and can be found in any river, creek or ocean beach in Croc Country."
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