Authorities are preparing to search waters around two of Queensland's Whitsunday Islands after seven crocodile sightings in recent weeks.
The wildlife officers and marine park rangers were heading out on Thursday night with a searchlight to look for a crocodile thought to be up to 3 metres long, seen in waters around two popular tourist destinations, Hook Island and Hayman Island.
Crocodile sightings are unusual on both islands. (Supplied: Tim Willing/file photo)
The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation's (DESI) director of northern wildlife operations, Lindsay Delzoppo, said crocodile sightings on the islands were usually rare.
But there have been a spate of sightings in the past three weeks, with the majority at Nara Inlet on Hook Island and one at the Hayman Island marina.
"It's unusual that it's hanging around that area and we've had expressions of concern from tourist operators," Mr Delzoppo said.
He said if the crocodile was found it was likely to be removed, potentially to a crocodile farm.
Visitors reported seeing a large crocodile in waters around Hook Island in the Whitsundays. (Supplied: Tourism Whitsundays)
Likely an adult, that was 'shooed out'
Based on the size estimate, Mr Delzoppo said the crocodile was a young adult.
"We'd say [it's] a teenage, young male, that's moving around because it's finding its own territory, [as] it's getting towards breeding season," he said.
"Or it may be that there's birds on the island that it's feeding on.
"It's an adult animal, it's large enough that if it did come into contact with a person, it could do some damage."
The Whitsunday Islands are close to the Proserpine River, which has the densest population of crocodiles in Queensland.
Department of Environment rangers study mangroves for evidence of crocodiles. (Supplied: Queensland Department of Environment)
Mr Delzoppo said it was possible that the Hook Island crocodile had travelled out from the river.
"Often what happens this time of year is the smaller males are squeezed out because the other adult males get territorial ahead of breeding season," he said.
"They bash up on the other males and they have to go and find somewhere else."
'Interfering with nature'
Steve Watson, the managing director of local tour operator Whitsunday Crocodile Safari, believes the animal should be left alone if found.
Mr Watson said the ocean was part of crocodiles' natural habitat, with rivers being their "main residence" and feeding areas.
"I reckon that's just a silly thing to do, are they going to go relocate all the sharks that are out there as well? What about the box jellyfish, are they going to relocate them?" he said.
"This is normal behaviour … it's part of the natural environment and they're interfering with it for no reason."
Visitors to both islands have been warned to keep an eye out for crocodiles. (Supplied: ABC Open contributor wildman_photo/file photo)
'Visitors should be aware'
Mr Delzoppo said tourism operators and people boating and camping on the islands during the school holidays should be alert.
"We just want … people doing those recreational activities or camping near the water to be very aware of the potential for crocodiles and don't put themselves in risk," he said.
"If you're taking people out diving or doing other things, make sure you're keeping an eye out for the crocodile and you want people to get out of the water quickly if you see a crocodile approaching."