EXCLUSIVE: Crocodile Farmer Urges Abolishment of ‘Absurd’ Regulation as Brisbane 2032 Rowing Prepares to Hit ‘Croc Country’

A crocodile farmer has quipped that records could be shattered when athletes take on the Fitzroy River for Brisbane 2032, simultaneously calling for a legislative overhaul regarding what he deems “absurd” management practices for the famed Australian reptile.

However, John Lever has dismissed claims that the Rockhampton section of the river is “overrun” with crocodiles. He praised the decision by the Queensland government, led by David Crisafulli, to host rowing and canoe sprint events for Brisbane 2032 in this waterway.

The 82-year-old operates the Koorana Crocodile Farm in Central Queensland. He caught his first crocodile in the Fitzroy River near Rockhampton back in 1982, and while he has captured several since, recent legal changes prevent him from doing so now.

Rowing Australia expressed its concerns regarding the water quality, weed management, and current of the Fitzroy River in its statement about the Queensland government’s venues plan for Brisbane 2032.

While crocodiles were not addressed in that statement, Chief Executive Sarah Cook had told the ABC earlier in the week that international athletes might find rowing in the river “somewhat unnerving”.

“We’re more than happy to have our athletes compete there, but it might deter a few others,” said Cook.

In a conversation with Wide World of Sports from his farm, which houses over 3000 crocodiles, Lever sought to ease concerns.

“Perhaps they’ll set some records!” he chuckled.

“I genuinely believe this issue is being exaggerated,” he added.

“When you swim at Yeppoon or Emu Park [on the nearby coast of Queensland], you don’t label it shark-infested waters, do you? It’s not like that at all,” he explained.

“The Fitzroy River is not a crocodile-infested river. There are very few of these reptiles in this stretch now, and the situation can be easily managed.”

“Interestingly, crocodiles are far more manageable in winter [when the Brisbane Games are set to occur]. They become lethargic, not consuming much food, making them less inclined to act aggressively. The drop in water temperature in the Fitzroy River leads to their inactivity, as they can’t digest food below about 25 degrees, eliminating their instinct to attack.”

“It’s not the breeding season; they’re not territorial, and crucially, they’re not hungry.”

Even within “croc country”, the Rockhampton stretch of the river is home to the Rockhampton Fitzroy Rowing Club.

Rowing Australia (RA) previously used this stretch for training ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Games and intends to do so again before the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 events.

However, RA has reservations about whether it can host high-level racing, mainly due to the river’s current potentially favouring certain lanes.

RA and Lever seem to be rowing in different directions on this issue.

“I see this as a fantastic opportunity for Rocky to host the Games,” he remarked.

“It’s a breathtakingly beautiful river.”

“I can’t wait for them to come and make their impact on the map for Rockhampton. It’s going to be fantastic.”

Nonetheless, Lever insists that the Queensland government needs to revise the management strategy to allow for the removal of crocodiles from the Rockhampton section of the Fitzroy River, regardless of any perceived threat.

The Queensland government’s management framework is split into six zones, with the area in question designated as a “targeted management zone”. This means that “crocodiles over two metres long or those exhibiting dangerous behaviour are slated for removal” according to the state’s crocodile management plan. Such zones are meant for places frequented by large groups of people.

“They should upgrade that area to an ‘active removal zone’, enabling any crocodile spotted in the recreational area to be removed,” Lever asserted.

“Rockhampton is currently classified outside an active removal zone, yet it should be reclassified, as this is a public recreational zone. The crocodile situation is manageable; it just requires the appropriate time, personnel, and resources to identify and remove them. It’s a straightforward task.”

“Crocodiles can be removed from Rockhampton as long as they are deemed a potential threat.”

“The foolish part of the legislation states, ‘if they have attacked or are about to attack’. However, no one really knows when a crocodile is on the brink of attacking. Those provisions should be eliminated.”