KEY POINTS:
As if sand traps, flies and floods were not enough, golfers in Australia have a new hazard: a crocodile laid-up among the holes.
Wildlife officials in Queensland yesterday abandoned plans to shift a meter-long freshwater crocodile from a tropical course, as it posed no threat to golfers.
"We are probably more concerned about his safety," said club owner Don Matheson, from the Willows Golf Club, near Townsville, in the state's far north.
The croc moved into a fish-laden lake on the 14th hole during flooding rains this month and it was hoped it would leave by itself.
Matheson said it was common to spot crocodiles on the course after heavy rains.
"With the compression of habitat they have got at the moment, well, we're 160 acres of open space, and our golf course actually becomes part of the river with the extreme rain we've had," he said.
"It's quite novel that we have got a croc who has made his home here."
Unlike the country's larger saltwater crocs, fresh-water dwelling "freshies" are relatively harmless.
Wildlife officers last week issued a warning to residents of flood-hit areas to be on alert for crocodiles and snakes brought onto properties by floodwaters.
- REUTERS, AAP
