Hughenden's 'Houdini' crocodile to remain in outback lake after being deemed 'no threat'
How the "Houdini of Hughenden" ended up in the lake remains a mystery. (Supplied: Flinders Shire Council)
In short:
An elusive freshwater crocodile has been deemed no threat to safety and will be permitted to remain in an outback Queensland lake.
Wildlife authorities suspect the skittish reptile was placed in the artificial lake by a member of the public.
What's next?
The local council will monitor the crocodile for the next 12 months.
An elusive crocodile in outback Queensland nicknamed the "Houdini of Hughenden" will not be removed from the town's recreational lake after advice from wildlife authorities.
The freshwater crocodile has been the topic of conversation and concern for months in the state's north west, where it has survived sub-zero winter temperatures.
Hughenden's man-made lake is a popular spot used for boating, water skiing, fishing and swimming.
Department of Environment, Science and Innovation staff travelled to the small town last week amid growing calls to capture the animal.
Hughenden's lake is a popular recreation spot. (Supplied: Flinders Shire Council)
Wildlife officer Ella Meeve said they only spotted the crocodile four times across several days.
"We can understand why it has earned the name Houdini, as he was very difficult to locate," Ms Meeve said.
"Any time we did observe him, it was only for a few seconds and then he'd disappear for [a] long period of time.
"Being such a shy and timid animal, being quite skittish, he doesn't seem to pose much risk to human safety."
Given the crocodile's behaviour, Ms Meeve said it would not be targeted for removal.
"Freshwater crocodiles are generally very safe for us to co-exist around," she said.
"Our recommendation to the residents of Hughenden is stay out of the animal's way and the animal will stay away from you."
Ella Meeve says freshwater crocodiles and humans can safely co-exist. (ABC North Qld: Lily Nothling)
Croc poses 'no threat'
Flinders Shire Acting Mayor Niki Flute said the "little mate in the lake" would remain a point of interest for townsfolk but there was no longer cause for alarm.
"He showed the characteristics of being quite traumatised and I really felt sorry for the little guy after they told me this," Cr Flute said.
"He poses absolutely no threat.
"He's most likely eating insects, frogs, maybe an unlucky rat here and there."
She said activity at the lake would return to "business as usual" but admitted the crocodile could be a deterrent for tourists.
"If only we could charge him rates," she said.
Wildlife officers say there is no risk to Hughenden residents who use the lake. (ABC News: Baz Ruddick)
The council said it would continue to monitor the crocodile's behaviour, with wildlife authorities willing to reassess the situation in 12 months.
How Houdini ended up in the lake remains a mystery.
"Your guess is as good as mine," Ms Meeve said.
"He was particularly skittish, so to us that does suggest that he may have been … captured and placed there by a member of the public.
"We're not really too sure. It is a strange place for the crocodile to turn up."