Cooktown crocodile attack: Human remains found after father abducted in front of wife, children

Human remains have been found inside a large crocodile that was shot dead after a father was captured in front of his family while fishing.

The family from New South Wales were on a caravan tour of northern Queensland and fishing near the Annan River bridge, south of Cooktown, just after 2pm on Saturday when the 40-year-old man disappeared.

He was dragged under water by a 4.9-meter-long crocodile. The shocking incident left his wife and children, who were standing nearby, traumatized.

The crocodile was shot dead by park rangers at 2pm on Monday, after which the carcass was handed over to police and the contents of its stomach were examined.

Queensland police released a statement on Tuesday saying human remains had been found inside the predator.

“A formal identification process is underway but it is believed the remains are those of a missing 40-year-old man from New South Wales,” a statement said.

‘Further tests will be conducted to determine a positive identity. The search and rescue operation has been suspended.

‘Police are working with conservationists as the investigation continues.’

Disturbing footage has emerged showing people feeding crocodiles upstream from where a man was dragged away by a ‘large crocodile’ while fishing with his family

This comes after disturbing videos have emerged on social media showing people throwing fish or meat scraps into the water in anticipation of crocodiles upstream from where the man was killed.

“Is that the big one?” we hear one man ask, to which another replies, “Yeah, it’s pretty big.” A woman shouts, “Oh, there’s two of them!”

Then you hear a child shout “attack” just before a crocodile surfaces and snaps at the food thrown into the water.

Another video shows a crocodile swimming to the water’s edge and eating a large fish on the riverbank.

“What a pig,” the woman said. “I think he just said ‘thank you.'”

It is not known when the video was taken, but the captions indicate it took place at the Annan River in Cooktown.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Queensland Department of the Environment for comment.

The ministry said it was “very concerned” about the videos, as they show that feeding crocodiles habituates them to people.

“It is illegal to feed crocodiles in Queensland and anyone with information regarding the deliberate feeding of crocodiles is encouraged to call 1300 130 372 and report the information. Reports can be made anonymously,” the department told 7News.

‘If you feed crocodiles on the bank of a river or on a boat ramp, they will hang around longer and wait for their next meal.

‘This puts future visitors to the area at much greater risk of attack when approaching or entering the water.

‘People should never feed crocodiles or allow them access to food or fish scraps.’

According to the department, crocodiles, which have existed for millions of years, are able to forage for themselves thanks to their highly developed sense of smell.

It was also added that the crocodile that dragged the man underwater “has a distinctive marking on its snout.”

The euthanized reptile has been handed over to police and its stomach contents will be forensically examined.

A team consisting of police, rangers and SES had resumed their work search for the man at 7am on monday.

“We’re patrolling the riverbank. There’s quite a large area, about 5km of waterway, it’s tidal,” Cooktown police sergeant-at-arms Greg Finucane said on Sunday.

The fishing spot where the man was attacked is a known habitat for the reptiles.

A Cooktown resident claimed the crocodile associated humans with food because locals fed it roadkill further upstream.

“People throw a dead animal in the water for it to eat. It could have been sitting there 15 feet under water waiting for food,” a Cooktown resident told the Cairns Post.

The 40-year-old man was attacked by a crocodile in front of his wife and children while he was fishing at the bridge on the Annan River, south of Cooktown. (Pictured is a baited crocodile trap placed in the water)

‘We’ve had a little rain, so the bank is soft. Even if he wasn’t at the edge, the bank could still go under him.

“It’s just terrible and everyone is with the family. It’s unthinkable to see something like this happen before your eyes.”

Police declined to comment on suspicions that people in the area were feeding crocodiles.

A team consisting of police, rangers and SES had resumed their work search for the man at 7am on monday.

Police have not confirmed where in NSW the family is from or how old the victim’s children are.