By Holly Richardson, Conor Byrne and Romy Stephens, ABC News
File image. Photo: AFP / DAVID GRAY
Human remains have been found inside a crocodile that wildlife officers euthanased in far north Queensland.
Police say Newcastle man David Hogbin, 40, was with family members when he fell into the Annan River near Cooktown and failed to resurface on Saturday.
A spokeswoman for Sonic Healthcare Australia said Dr Hogbin would be missed by colleagues.
"We are deeply saddened by the news of this tragic event," she said.
"This is a very challenging time for our team."
Dr Hogbin has worked at several medical centres in New South Wales.
His biography at Jewells Medical Centre, 13km south-west of Newcastle, said Dr Hogbin was a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners after qualifying in 2021.
"In his spare time, Dave enjoys four-wheel driving and camping with his wife and three boys," it reads.
He was a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and previously worked in real estate and nuclear medicine.
Dr Hogbin was a resident at John Hunter Hospital, trained in anaesthetics and emergency medicine, and held qualifications in skin cancer medicine and child health.
"David enjoys all aspects of general practice but is particularly interested in paediatrics, dermatology and acute care," the biography reads.
Further testing
Rangers from the Queensland Department of Environment, Science, and Innovation euthanised a 4.9 metre male saltwater crocodile on Monday after it was spotted four kilometres upstream from where the man disappeared.
Queensland police said the remains found within the crocodile are believed to be those of the missing man, but further testing was needed.
"Police are working with wildlife officers as investigations continue," police said.
A report will be prepared for the coroner and the search and rescue operation has been suspended.
Queensland Police Acting Chief Superintendent Shane Holmes yesterday told the media it was unclear whether the man's family or people nearby witnessed the incident.
"I believe it was an accident when he fell into the water," he said.
"There was a sighting of the crocodile earlier on."
Superintendent Holmes offered his condolences and said Queensland Police was offering support to the family.
"If the family members were present and they had seen these events unfold we've offered, and we will continue to offer, all available support for their wellbeing," he said.
Feeding crocodiles
The Department of Environment is investigating recent videos posted online purportedly showing people throwing fish scraps to a crocodile in the vicinity where the man fell into the water.
It is not alleged the man or his family were feeding any reptiles.
In a statement, the department said it was highly concerned by the illegal behaviour and encouraged anyone with information to make a report.
Local wildlife carer and conservationist Beau Peberdy described the actions purported in the videos as "stupid" and "dangerous".
"To see people conditioning an animal to come in to feed from people, it becomes dangerous in any situation," he said.
"People I think really need to start understanding that these animals are dangerous … and doing silly or inappropriate things in and around the water's edge, it has severe consequences."
On Sunday, local fishing tackle shop owner Russell Bowman told the ABC locals knew of a crocodile that frequented that stretch of river.
"[Previously] some of the old tour operators would pick up a bit of roadkill to throw over there and coax the croc up to show the guests," Mr Bowman said.
"Sometimes locals have been a bit naughty and thrown a few fish frames over there."
But Bowman had said this was partly due to filleting regulations and a lack of disposal options.
"We're not allowed to fillet fish at sea," he said.
"We have to bring them home and there's not enough bins around town to put them in."
North Queensland managing lawyer from the Environmental Defenders Office, Kirstiana Ward, said euthanasing crocodiles impacted the ecosystem, as new reptiles often filled the void.
Ward has been working with Queensland's environment department to propose new offences for reckless behaviour around crocodile habitats.
"We need to improve human behaviour because we can't control crocodile behaviour," she said.
Draft laws - which would increase infringements for interfering with crocodiles and traps, and disposing of food waste in crocodile habitats - are currently with the state's environment department and minister for consideration.
- ABC
