Wannabe social media croc hunter fined $12,000

A would-be social media crocodile hunter has been fined $12,000 for illegally catching freshwater crocs in Queensland’s north.

Jayden Wilson was sentenced in the Townsville Magistrates Court for catching, or attempting to catch, 16 reptiles from the Ross River.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Jayden Wilson’s dangerous croc-handling activities posted online.

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He was charged with 12 counts of taking a protected animal.

Wilson, 27, must also pay $1500 in legal costs and his convictions have been recorded.

The offences took place between November 2020 and 2021.

A probe by Queensland’s Department of Environment and Science confirmed Wilson repeatedly attempted to catch crocodiles with rope or by hand near a boat ramp.

He posted footage of a number of incidents to social media and also showed himself releasing the animals.

“Catching or attempting to catch freshwater crocodiles is foolish and risky behaviour - it is also illegal,” the department said.

“They are capable of inflicting serious injuries on humans.

“People are reminded never provoke, harass or interfere with freshwater crocodiles - even juveniles, as they will lash out if they feel threatened or cornered.”