Be Crocwise in Croc Country—communication resources
The Queensland Government’s Be Crocwise communication activities form part of the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation’s broader Be Crocwise education and public safety program.
Be Crocwise aims to encourage residents and visitors in Croc Country to adopt Be Crocwise behaviours before visiting the water, and when they’re around the water, to reduce their risk of a crocodile attack.
We’ve developed a range of communication resources to help local councils, tourism operators, community groups and other interested parties to share and promote Be Crocwise public safety and education messages through their channels and networks.
Shareable communication resources include:
- social media content and graphics
- website / newsletter / online content.
General Be Crocwise resources
Living in or visiting Croc Country means understanding how to Be Crocwise when you’re around the water.
Crocodiles can be found in any waterway including rivers, creeks, beaches, oceans and waterholes.
Crocs are apex predators that use ambush tactics, such as lying and waiting at the water’s edge, to capture their prey. Just because you can’t see a croc, doesn’t mean there isn’t one close by.
So, if you enjoy fishing, boating, camping or swimming in the great outdoors, knowing how to Be Crocwise can reduce your risk of a croc attack.
View and download Be Crocwise communication resources.
For more information visit Be Crocwise.
New rules and fines for feeding crocodiles
From 1 September 2024, new laws are in place to prevent people from engaging in dangerous or careless behaviours around crocodiles including:
- feeding, disturbing and interfering with crocodiles (including crocodile traps)
- remaining in close proximity to a crocodile on land
- unintentionally feeding a crocodile.
It is now an offence to leave or discard food—including fish frames, food scraps and bait—in a way that may attract a crocodile to a public place.
A public place includes a boat ramp, jetty, pontoon or camping area or park adjacent to water and where there is a sign warning of the presence of crocodiles in the vicinity.
Unintentional feeding encourages crocodiles to loiter around waiting for an easy feed—putting everyone at risk.
Always put your fish scraps in the bin or take them home.
View and download feeding offences communication resources.
For more information visit Dangerous animal regulations (crocodiles).
Up here we’re Crocwiser: Tropical North Queensland residents advertising campaign
The second phase of the Up here we’re Crocwiser campaign commences in market in December 2024. This initiative forms part of the Queensland Government’s broader Be Crocwise education and public safety program.
The campaign targets male residents in the following Tropical North Queensland local government areas: Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Cook Shire, Douglas Shire and Hinchinbrook Shire.
Research has identified that male residents, particularly those aged 30 years and over, are most at risk of a crocodile attack. Despite high awareness of the need to Be Crocwise, complacency and loss aversion mean they continue to undertake risky behaviours such as entering the water or being within 5m of the water’s edge without a barrier.
The campaign seeks to encourage them to adopt specific Be Crocwise behaviours to reduce their risk of a crocodile attack when engaging in high-risk activities such as fishing and boating.
The campaign is being rolled out in phases between September 2024 and April 2025.
Phase 2 is in-market between 22 December 2024 and 27 January 2025 across YouTube, Willy Weather, commercial radio, out of home (convenience) and social media channels.
Phase 2 key calls to action include: Leave the lure, Get behind a croc-blocker, and Keep your body in the boat.
View and download phase 2 campaign resources.