Among all of the deadly creatures known to inhabit Far North Queensland, the saltwater, or estuarine, crocodile is perhaps the most infamous. While the majority of crocodile species do not pose a serious threat to humans, a fully grown saltwater croc is capable of overcoming a human adult and killing him, usually through pulling him underwater and drowning him. They are serious hunters, and will study their prey before attacking, often swimming underwater and surfacing immediately prior to striking. By the time a victim realizes that she is in danger, it is too late to escape.
A google search of saltwater crocodiles will turn up any number of stories involving encounters between them and humans. One of the most well-known occurred during the Japanese retreat in the Battle of Ramree Island in Burma in which it is thought that crocodiles were responsible for the deaths of up to 400 soldiers. British troops surrounded their Japanese counterparts as they retreated, thereby condemning them to a night in the crocodile-infested waters of a mangrove swamp. When the dust settled the next day, four hundred were missing. This story is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records under the deadliest attack of animals upon humans.
In spite of, or perhaps because of, the danger posed by saltwater crocs, most tourists to northern Queensland take a boat ride hoping to spot at least one. We took the obligatory ride, but found only a one-year-old. As we were driving back to the airport the next day, however, we noticed some people on a bridge gesturing and pointing cameras to the water below. As we pulled over, we saw what we had hoped to find the day before.
Below is the one-year-old from the previous day:
The next few were taken at Cape Tribulation, named by Captain Cook after his ship struck on the Great Barrier Reef. The beach is lovely, but again, dangerous according to our guide. As we gathered around him on the sand, he pointed to a tree behind us that contained fruit capable of killing us within minutes. He then gestured to the water in front of us with hands scarred by stingers ("You know within twenty minutes whether you will live or die," he explained, "So far I have stayed alive"), and told us a hair-raising crocodile story that took place about one hundred feet away.
A few years prior he had taken out a group like ours onto the beach when he noticed two toddlers splashing in the water. As he continued speaking to his group, he made a mental note to talk to the negligent parents after he had settled his tour crew. At that point he realized that there was in fact a large crocodile near by in the water. He ran screaming into the water, yelling at the kids to stay still and stop splashing, grabbed the children, one under each arm, and sprinted up the beach. The father assumed he was attempting to abduct the children and acted accordingly until he became paralyzed with fear upon seeing the crocodile land on the beach. Fortunately, the children were saved by his heroic exploit. Afterward, he bluntly told the parents they were complete idiots.
Our guide pointed out that the sign above, seen near water everywhere in Far North Queensland, is inaccurate. A crocodile attack will, not may, cause injury or death.
After relating his tales, Bruce encouraged all of us to have a wander on the beach and through the paths before heading back to the bus. We were a bit reluctant, I must say, but followed his recommendation, taking care to stay well away from the water and in the middle of the paths through the rainforest.
According to Bruce, who has been stung more than once, the vinegar prevents further injury by neutralizing the invisible stingers which have not yet been activated. It can save a life, but it does nothing to stop the ferocious pain. Some victims experience cardiac arrest and require resuscitation.
From Cape Tribulation we traveled to the serene beauty of Mossman Gorge, a peaceful ending to our tour of the Daintree National Forest.
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