A juvenile crocodile was discovered in the lagoon-style swimming pool of the Sheraton Mirage resort in Port Douglas, far north Queensland, on Saturday. Guests recorded the reptile as it lay in the water, prompting wildlife rangers to remove the animal and issue fresh warnings about crocodile safety in the region.
Two TikTok users posted footage of the crocodile, with one video showing hotel guests continuing to sunbathe on loungers near the pool. In one clip, user Lisa Keller remarks, “I don’t want to alarm anyone, but there is a crocodile in the Sheraton pool.” Another user, @jasssyyl, shared a video with the caption “just a croc casually having a dip”. Social media users noted that this was not the first such incident at the hotel, recalling a previous crocodile sighting on the resort’s golf course.
The Queensland Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (Detsi) confirmed that wildlife rangers responded to a report made via the QWildlife app on Saturday. “Wildlife rangers removed and rehomed a crocodile on October 18, following a report via the QWildlife app of the animal in a Port Douglas hotel pool,” a department spokesperson said. “Crocodile warning signs have been placed in the area by wildlife officers.”
Detsi encouraged the public to report crocodile sightings via the QWildlife app, its website, or by calling 1300 130 372. The spokesperson emphasised that every report is investigated. Earlier this year, a large saltwater crocodile was spotted on the 10th hole fairway of the Palmer Sea Reef Golf Course, about 3km from the Sheraton. Room rates at the five-star hotel range from approximately $400 to $1,900 per night.
