EXPRESS The
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Locally owned and proudly independent
Luck of the Irish
A DASH of luck and a splash of colour was all it took for Graeme Jebreen, Rowena Petersen, Kymberlee Cockrem and Sam Waddell to stand out at Mareeba Turf Club’s St Patrick’s Day Races last Saturday. The group won several categories at Fashions on the Field with their green-themed attire, as about 400 people enjoyed a day of fun-filled entertainment including a full five-race schedule. More photos – Page 21.
War on Crocs PHOTO By Peter Roy
Farmers call for action on snappy problem By Michael Serenc A GROUP of Biboohra farmers fear someone will soon be killed unless authorities take action to remove several saltwater crocodiles infesting their properties. The Express can reveal the four farmers have made numerous complaints to the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP), but no serious action has been taken in attempt to monitor or remove crocodiles in the area. Cattle and cane farmer Evan McGrath said it
beggared belief saltwater crocodiles could be freely lurking this far inland from the coast. “The McGraths have been here since the late 1800s. We have never known there to be any type of crocodile in the area until Peter Fisher established the croc farm,” he said “We always hear we’re in their territory, but this time they’re in our territory.” The farmers’ properties, along Pickford Rd, all border Two Mile Creek, which feeds into Lake Mitchell, otherwise known as Quade’s Dam. Andrew Mazgay, who runs a sand quarry and
farms cane, said he had been lunged at by a saltwater crocodile three times in the last three years, including one incident at Two Mile Creek just last Wednesday. “That morning one came out of the water at me again. Enough is enough,” he said. Mr Mazgay said wildlife officers had set up cameras and croc baits at a waterway on his property on March 2, but had not yet returned to check the cameras, replace their batteries and review the images taken. “It’s just a joke,” he said.
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“They put a few chicken necks on a string with some cameras. I rung them up about three-and-ahalf weeks ago to tell them the baits were gone and the ropes had been cut. “No-one’s come out to check the cameras’ memory cards and replace the batteries.” The farmers’ properties are infested with thick hymenachne weeds, creating a perfect environment for crocs to hide in and making it difficult for rangers to conduct patrols in those waterways.
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