Croc Suspected of Snatching a Missing Fisherman in Queensland; How Common Are Crocodile Attacks?

A crocodile was suspected of attacking a missing fisherman in Far North Queensland. Check out why the locals believe a croc was involved in the incident.

Crocodile May Have Snatched the Missing Fisherman

Detective Acting Inspector Jason Chetham stated their search for Kevin Darmody had entered its third day. According to him, there was a noise and a loud yell. They also reportedly heard the splashing of water.

The missing fisherman was identified as Kevin Darmody, 65. He was a fishing enthusiast and was last spotted at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Kennedy River at Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park, about 340km north-west of Cairns, 9News.com.au.

When Chetham was asked about the possibility of Darmody being dragged by a giant crocodile, he said it was possible. He noted that it happened at a national park, and wild animals, including wild crocodiles, were in the area.

Police divers, drones, and search and rescue teams have been scouring the river and nearby area in search of Darmody. Chetham noted that it's a challenging search. He added that they routinely go into challenging locations, and the search for Darmody is top of their list.

Chetham said the police were also searching for giant crocs that might have attacked and killed the fisherman. He adds that they are still unsure about the circumstances, so they keep on going until they find something.

The report noted that Darmody, a resident from Laura, northwest of Port Douglas, was fishing with his pals when he went missing. A friend of his alerted the authorities when they didn't find him after hearing a splashing sound.

One of Darmody's pals, George Kerridge, paid tribute to him on Facebook. In a post on social media, he said that Darmody had been taken by a croc while fishing in the Kennedy River. The reptile reportedly came out from nowhere behind them and took him into the water. His body has not been found yet.

How Common Are Crocodile Attacks?

Crocodiles are fierce. However, it is challenging to quantify how many crocodile attacks happen each year due to the number that occurs in remote locations and unreported cases.

According to statistics, there are about 1,000 crocodile assaults per year that end in fatalities. The numbers are probably far higher based on how many crocodiles there are in Southeast Asia and Africa. In Australia, researchers collected meticulous records of crocodile attacks and discovered 62 confirmed, unprovoked attacks during the 33 years between 1971 and 2004-17 of which were deadly. In Australia, there are 1.9 attacks every year on average, A-Z Animals reported.

Sub-Saharan Africa has the most cases of crocodile attacks. Thousands of people use the major rivers home to violent Nile crocodiles daily. There is an increased likelihood of animal-human conflict when there is a high concentration of people and crocodiles.

There are 0 crocodile attacks in Canada since there are no crocodiles in the country. We do have the American alligator and American crocodile in the United States. Still, the incidence of crocodile attacks is incredibly low since, as an industrial nation, we do not have hundreds of people washing clothes and gathering water in the local waterways like in Africa. Although there are many crocodiles in Australia, there are only generally 1.9 attacks per year, according to the study.

Check out more news and information on Animals in Science Times.