On Saturday, Kevin Darmody, a well-known member of the community in Cape York, went missing while fishing with friends in Kennedy's Bend - a popular saltwater crocodile habitat in northern Queensland. After a two-day search of the area, police found human body parts inside a crocodile, a tragic ending to the search for Mr. Darmody. 

This incident raises concerns about the safety of individuals in crocodile habitats and the need for Effective Management Programs to protect the public. This article discusses the details of the incident, the history of crocodile attacks in Queensland, and the management programs in place to control crocodile populations.

The Incident: How It Happened

Mr. Darmody was a seasoned fisherman, but his experience could not protect him from the dangers of crocodile habitats. According to witnesses, Mr. Darmody was last seen near the river when he suddenly disappeared. The fishermen with him at the time did not see the attack but heard him yell, followed by a loud splash. His friend, John Peiti, told the Cape York Weekly, "I raced down… but there was no sign of him, just his thongs [flip-flops] on the bank and nothing else." This led to a two-day search of the area, which ended tragically when the police found human body parts inside a crocodile.

Crocodile Attacks in Queensland: History and Statistics

Since a ban on hunting in 1974, Queensland's crocodile population has rebounded from a low of some 5,000 animals to around 30,000 today. A 2019 report suggested an average of 1.7 adult crocodiles live in each kilometer of river surveyed. Under Queensland's management program, "problem crocodiles" are removed from areas where they threaten public safety and, in rare instances, euthanized.

Crocodile Management Programs in Queensland

Queensland's crocodile management program aims to protect public safety while conserving crocodiles. Under the program, wildlife officers monitor crocodile populations and capture "problem crocodiles" that pose a risk to public safety. In rare cases, such as the recent incident with Mr. Darmody, crocodiles are euthanized. However, this management program has also faced criticism from some who believe it should focus on the removal of all crocodiles from public areas, as opposed to only removing "problem crocodiles."

The tragic incident of Mr. Darmody's death highlights the dangers of crocodile habitats and the need for effective management programs to protect the public. Queensland's crocodile management program aims to protect public safety while conserving crocodiles, but it has faced criticism from some who believe it should focus on the removal of all crocodiles from public areas. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of being aware of one's surroundings in crocodile habitats and taking necessary precautions to stay safe.