Crocodile decapitations have been reported in Queensland, Australia, earlier this year, and with it comes the launching of a widespread investigation about the mysterious crocodile deaths, with one being left without its head. Initial reports revealed that trophy killing was the motive behind the headless crocodile. The cases remained static until a twist in the investigation came recently.
Based on the latest developments, Queensland wildlife authorities received a call from an anonymous man, who was claiming that he killed two crocodiles, saying "I am the Predator," according to reports. The authorities first thought it was a prank call but the specific details provided by the mystery caller suggest he know something about the decapitations, including the case of the headless crocodile.
Queensland has an abundant crocodile population which can mostly be found in different bodies of water like ponds, lakes, swamps, rivers, and even in the open sea near the Australian coast. The presence of the reptiles comes also with a few incidents of attacks on humans, with some resulting in fatalities, as reported in recent years.
Anonymous Man Confesses
The anonymous man reportedly called David White, a Queensland-based tour operator working at the Solar Whisper Daintree River Crocodile & Wildlife Cruises, apparently admitting the horrendous acts and claiming he fed one of the crocodiles to his dogs, according to Newsweek.
What seemed to be a dubious call turned out to be somehow credible since he provided details about him killing a crocodile named Lizzie in May 2023 and another croc that he beheaded near Cow Bay in April 2023.
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Serial Crocodile Killer
The mystery man said "I am the apex predator now," according to White, who told The Guardian about the suspect dubbed as the "serial crocodile killer."
During the call, the crocodile killer specified the death of the 40-year-old female saltwater crocodile Lizzie, whose spine and head was decapitated along the Daintree River. White said he had been observing Lizzie for over two decades already, based on the report.
Last week, the Queensland environment department announced authorities were investigating about the connection between the two discoveries and stated they feared the protected wild animals are being "targeted and deliberately killed," as cited by the U.K. media outlet.
Saltwater Crocodile Protection
Although crocodiles can be legally hunted down, the case of Lizzie the crocodile and the other headless croc has been considered as animal cruelty and illegal. It is for this reason that Queensland wildlife officials are asking the public to help them regarding the identity of the culprit behind the crocodile decapitations.
Queensland's saltwater crocodiles are protected under the Australian state's Nature Conservation Act 1992. According to the Queensland Department of Environment and Science, the law aims to provide conservation and protections of native wildlife and its habitat in the state. The intentional harming or killing of crocodiles can be met with a fine or imprisonment.
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