A crocodile jumps onto an Australian fisherman's boat with its jaws open

Australian authorities are investigating after a crocodile jumped a Queensland fisherman's boat while the man was fishing in a creek on New Year's Eve.

The fisherman, identified by local media as Richard Brockman, told authorities he had been fishing for about four hours when he saw the alligator approaching. According to a press release From the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation. Brockman told authorities he moved to the back of the boat to start the engine. The alligator then swam under the boat, turned around and lunged “to the top of the boat with its jaws wide open,” officials said.

“I stood up to get back to the back of the boat, and then he went down and I thought, 'This is not going to end well,'” Brockman said. He told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Brockman said he had to jump over the 13-foot alligator to reach the bow of the ship and retrieve the anchor. The massive crawler apparently spun around, was overbalanced, and fell into the water, bending the boat's rails, according to the news release.

“It was just kind of sheer luck that it slipped by. I think so.” [late] “My grandfather took care of me,” Brockman told ABC.

Brockman told authorities he had never seen such a large alligator in the area before, and he had been fishing in the creek for decades. Between December 1985 and July 2023, Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation registered 13 fatal crocodile attacks and 34 non-fatal incidents in the area.

Authorities said they would conduct a daytime assessment of the area where Brockman was attacked, install signs warning of recent alligator sightings, and try to find the alligator. If the reptile is not found during the day, a nighttime assessment will be conducted, and if an alligator is found, its behavior and potential risk to public safety will be evaluated.

“If it is assessed as a problem crocodile, it will be targeted for removal from the wild,” the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation said.

Members of the public have been urged to be careful in the area, which is part of what Australian officials call “crocodile country.” Crocodiles are very mobileThe Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation said it could travel to any waterway. Crocodile sightings should be reported to authorities so they can be investigated and evaluated.