Nature’s had enough of humans and their boats. First, orcas learned to sink ships, and now crocodiles are leaping into boats in Australia. On New Year’s Eve, Queensland local Richard Brookman was fishing in Jane Creek when an enormous four-meter saltwater crocodile launched itself into his boat, jaws gaping.
Shocked but unharmed
Brookman was fishing from a small aluminum boat. He’d been on the water for a few hours when he had “that eerie feeling that something was watching me,” he told ABC News. He turned on his headlight and spotted a pair of eyes approaching.
At first, he was unconcerned. Crocodiles are common in Queensland’s waterways. But as it neared the boat he realized that the croc was massive, roughly a meter longer than his boat.
Brookman decided it was time to skedaddle and stood up to retrieve his anchor, only for the croc to leap out of the water and into the boat, inadvertently blocking his way. He had to leap over the reptile to the bow. Fortunately for Brookman, the croc then lost its balance and fell back into the creek. The crocodile was so heavy that it bent the rails of Brookman’s boat.
Crocodiles can launch themselves from the water when required. Photo: Shutterstock
Very unusual behavior
Most Australians are well aware of the threat posed by crocodiles in the water, but one that launches itself into a boat is “not what we would call typical behavior,” said wildlife officer Jane Burns of the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation. “It is concerning behavior, so it is definitely getting investigated.”
In a statement, a spokesperson reassured the public that the crocodile’s behavior was likely accidental, rather than an attack. However, a team will perform both daytime and nighttime assessments of Jane Creek.
“Wildlife officers investigate every report we receive, and estuarine crocodiles that pose a threat to human safety are targeted for removal under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan,” Burns said.
