Human remains found inside crocodile after man disappears
Human remains are found inside a four-metre crocodile believed to have fatally attacked a 69-year-old fisherman in far north Queensland last week
Crocodiles have changed their diet from fish to mammals, researchers have found.(Photo: ABC)
A necropsy was performed on the 4.2-metre crocodile after it was caught and euthanised yesterday.
A specialist examined the animal and found human remains inside it.
Police are now preparing a report for the coroner.
Andrew Heard was last seen on Thursday afternoon after he set off in his 2.5-metre dinghy, headed toward the northwest side of Hinchinbrook Island, north of Townsville.
His wife alerted authorities that evening when he failed to return to their yacht and was not responding to her via radio.
Mr Heard’s dinghy was found capsized and damaged in the early hours of Friday morning during an aerial and water search around the island.
The crocodile was found close to where Mr Heard’s boat was discovered.
Police said experts who examined the dinghy determined it was highly likely a crocodile had been involved.
The Department of Environment and Science (DES) found human remains in the area on Friday night but the crocodile was not located until Saturday.
In a tweet, DES said: “Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time following confirmation from [Queensland police] that the crocodile captured yesterday is believed to be the animal involved in the disappearance of a man.”
“A necropsy was completed overnight.”
The police investigation into the fatal attack is continuing.
– ABC / Jess Rendall
