publicdataau publicdata.au on GitHub
Published by Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation under CC BY 4.0 and republished here without change to the content. Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation has not endorsed this site.An independent republication of open government data. No government agency has endorsed it. Read more

CrocWatch crocodile sightings, Queensland, 2010 to 2015

live
Publisher Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and InnovationUpdated no longerLicence CC BY 4.0Latest 2016-05-27Rows 1,933Fields 57

One row per crocodile sighting reported to the Queensland environment department from 2010 to 2015. Each row gives the year, the department's reference number, the date sighted and the date the department was contacted, whether the animal was declared a crocodile of concern and whether that was resolved, the management plan zone and council area, the species, the number of crocodiles and the estimated size of the largest, the place and its latitude and longitude, the habitat, nearby public use, the animal's behaviour, nearby food sources and the outcome.

The publisher's column names were shortened to snake_case names. The original header of every column is kept in schema.json. The species column spells the estuarine crocodile as Crocodylus porsus, as published.

Also called: CrocWatch crocodile sightings 2010-2015, Queensland crocodile reports, Crocodile of concern reports Queensland.

Part of Crocodiles in Queensland, 4 tables the publisher releases together: Crocodile distribution surveys, Queensland, 2000 to 2012, CrocWatch crocodile sightings, Queensland, 2016, CrocWatch crocodile sightings, Queensland, January to March 2017.

Before you use it
What is in each row?
Each row is one crocodile sighting reported to the department from 2010 to 2015. It gives the date, the place and coordinates, the species, the number and estimated size of the crocodiles, what the animal was doing, nearby public use and food sources, whether the department declared it a crocodile of concern, and the outcome.
Why are so many cells n/a or no data?
The publisher writes n/a where a question did not apply and no data where nothing was recorded. Several questions were added or dropped part way through, as the publisher's legend explains, so they are blank for some years. These words are kept as published, except in the coordinate columns where no data is null.
Is every sighting a confirmed crocodile?
No. Most rows are reports from the public. The confirmed by a departmental officer column says whether an officer or delegate confirmed the animal or its presence.
1,922 sightings drawn in 517 cells of 0.05 degrees, the fullest with 104.
Sightings counted in cells of 0.05 degrees. State outlines from the ABS Australian Statistical Geography Standard 2021, CC BY 4.0.
1,933sightings
2010 to 2015years drawn
57fields
12formats
1version
01002003004002010 n/a: 72010 no: 2302010 yes: 620102011 n/a: 92011 no: 3262011 yes: 820112012 n/a: 82012 no: 3462012 yes: 820122013 No data: 12013 n/a: 72013 no: 2942013 yes: 5020132014 No data: 12014 n/a: 112014 no: 2462014 yes: 11320142015 No data: 22015 n/a: 52015 no: 2052015 yes: 502015
No datan/anoyes
Sightings per year by crocodile of concern, 2010 to 2015. Both figures are counts of rows from version 2016-05-27, worked out in the build. Nothing else is added.

Made for agents

Connect your AI agent

Any agent that connects to publicdata.au/mcp can find this dataset, read its 57 fields, count and filter across all 1,933 rows and diff its versions. Every answer names the version and carries DETSI's attribution. No key.

Then ask it: What does CrocWatch crocodile sightings, Queensland, 2010 to 2015 hold, and what changed in the newest version?

claude mcp add --transport http publicdata https://publicdata.au/mcp

One command. No key, no account, no sign-up.

Download it as Excel, CSV, JSON and 9 more formats

Pick a format and a version. Excel is picked first because it opens in the tools most offices have. The URL is yours to keep. A dated version never changes.

Format
"Latest" redirects to the newest version and will change when the publisher releases again. A dated version never changes.
https://publicdata.au/d/qld-crocwatch-sightings-2010-2015/latest/data.xlsx
Download

In your own tools

Use it in Excel, R, Python and more

Excel and Power BI read the CSV from its address and refresh from it. The R and Python packages take any dataset on this site by its slug, so a new dataset needs no new release. The DuckDB file attaches read-only over HTTPS, and a query reads only the blocks it touches.

The dated URL in the code never changes. https://publicdata.au/d/qld-crocwatch-sightings-2010-2015/latest/ redirects to the newest version.

https://publicdata.au/d/qld-crocwatch-sightings-2010-2015/latest/data.csv

In Excel choose Data, then From Web, and paste this address. Excel keeps it, so Refresh All reads the newest version. A sheet holds about a million rows; past that, load the query to the Data Model.

What is in it

Column names are made snake_case and the publisher's original header is kept beside each one. Blank cells are null. Nothing is added, removed, ranked or summarised.

FieldTypePublisher's headerNote
yearintegerYear
crocodile_reference_numberstringCrocodile Reference NumberThe department's reference for the report. A few numbers appear twice.
date_sightedstringDate SightedDay/month/year as written, or No data. Kept as text because the column mixes dates and words.
crocodile_of_concernstringCrocodile of Concern
resolved_crocodile_of_concernstringResolved crocodile of concern
confirmed_by_officerstringCrocodile confirmed by EHP officer
zones_1_or_2stringZones 1 or 2
crocodile_management_planstringCrocodile Management Plan
local_government_authoritystringLocal Government Authority
management_plan_zonestringCrocodile Management Plan Zone Objectives (Zone 1 - Remove; Zone 2 - remove crocodiles 2 m and greater or aggressive crocodile, Zone 2 - CAIRNS; Zone 3 - remove crocodiles of concern)
south_of_boyne_riverstringSouth of the Boyne River
attack_or_aggressivestringCrocodile attack or behaving aggressively
location_or_behaviour_a_threatstringLocation or crocodile behaviour is a threat
prevention_barrier_and_stockstringcrocodile prevention barrier and stock
urban_management_areastringcrocodile urban management area (CUMA), Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton Local Government Authorities
coc_assessmentstringDescribe COC assessment
outcomestringOutcome
date_removedstringDate crocodile removed
imminent_threat_to_safetystringIs there an imminent threat to human safety
date_of_contactstringdate of contact with EHP
speciesstringSpecies,freshwater(Crocodylus johnstoni), estuarine ( Crocodylus porsus)
number_of_crocodilesstringnumber of crocodiles
size_of_largest_mstringsize of largest crocodile (m) (estimate)The reporter's estimate in metres. Kept as text because some reports give a range or words.
tracks_leftstringwere tracks left
nest_or_slide_presentstringnest or slide present
locationstringlocation of Crocodile
latitudenumberlatitude
longitudenumberlongitude
waterway_or_beachstringname of river creek beach or waterhole
habitatstringtype of habitat e.g. vegetated land, open water, mad/mangroves, sand
nearest_public_areastringnearest public area
public_use_typestringpublic use type e.g. swimming, fishing, boating, camping
intensity_of_usestringintensity of use at time of sighting
intensity_of_use_commentsstringadditional comments intensity of use
all_parts_exposedstringall parts of crocodile exposed
eye_exposedstringeye part of crocodile exposed
head_exposedstringhead part of crocodile exposed
tail_exposedstringtail part of crocodile exposed
head_and_back_exposedstringhead and back part of crocodile exposed
gait_highstringgait high
gait_slidingstringgait sliding
gait_runningstringgait running
gait_walkingstringgait walking
gait_swimmingstringgait swimming
moving_quickly_or_slowlystringmoving quickly or slowly
direction_of_travelstringdirection of travel of crocodile
two_metres_or_greaterstringIs the crocodile 2 m or greater
in_known_habitatstringIs the croc in a well known habitat
moving_throughstringIs the crocodile moving through
food_source_fish_framestringfood source fish frame
food_source_abattoirstringfood source abbattoir
food_source_crab_potsstringfood source crab pots
food_source_smelly_binsstringfood source smelly bins
food_source_boat_rampstringfood source boat ramp
food_source_dugongstringfood source dugong
food_source_turtlestringfood source turtle
food_source_animal_carcassstringFood Animal carcass

Download this table as a data dictionary (Excel), or read it as a Frictionless Table Schema at schema.json.

A sample of 10 rows

From the latest version, newest first by year, then in the publisher's order, with every field. A blank cell is shown as null.

yearcrocodile_reference_numberdate_sightedcrocodile_of_concernresolved_crocodile_of_concernconfirmed_by_officerzones_1_or_2crocodile_management_planlocal_government_authoritymanagement_plan_zonesouth_of_boyne_riverattack_or_aggressivelocation_or_behaviour_a_threatprevention_barrier_and_stockurban_management_areacoc_assessmentoutcomedate_removedimminent_threat_to_safetydate_of_contactspeciesnumber_of_crocodilessize_of_largest_mtracks_leftnest_or_slide_presentlocationlatitudelongitudewaterway_or_beachhabitatnearest_public_areapublic_use_typeintensity_of_useintensity_of_use_commentsall_parts_exposedeye_exposedhead_exposedtail_exposedhead_and_back_exposedgait_highgait_slidinggait_runninggait_walkinggait_swimmingmoving_quickly_or_slowlydirection_of_traveltwo_metres_or_greaterin_known_habitatmoving_throughfood_source_fish_framefood_source_abattoirfood_source_crab_potsfood_source_smelly_binsfood_source_boat_rampfood_source_dugongfood_source_turtlefood_source_animal_carcass
2015201500130/12/2014non/anonoTRUECassowary Coast Regional Council2nononononoNo datan/an/ano data1/01/2015Crocodylus porsus13.5 - 4.0no dataunknownCardwell main beach-18.2694146.0329no datano datano dataFishing, Boating, walking dogsModerateTypically moderate use, with higher use during the holidays.yesyesyesyesyesno datano datano datano datano datastationaryno datano datano datano datayesnono datanono datano datano datano data
201520150021/01/2015non/anonoTRUETownsville City Council2nonoYesnoNoNo datan/an/ano data2/01/2015Crocodylus porsus13.5no dataunknownLouisa Creek, Mount Louisa-19.284118146.747623no datano datano datano datano datano datayesyesyesyesyesyesno datano datano datano datastationaryno datano datano datano datanonono datanono datano datano datano data
201520150032/01/2015yesyesyesnoTRUECairns Regional Council2nonoYesnoNoNo datan/an/ano data3/01/2015Crocodylus porsus13.0no dataunknownNorthern End, Clifton Beach-16.78353145.673173no datano datano dataSwimming, FishingModerateno datano datano datano datano datayesno datano datano datano datayesstationaryno datano datano datano datayesnono datanono datano datano datano data
201520150041/01/2015non/anonoTRUECassowary Coast Regional Council3nonoYesnoNoNo datan/an/ano data4/01/2015Crocodylus porsus13.5no dataunknown55579 Bruce Highway Cardwell - located in the corner as the creek sweeps around-18.239057145.987551no datano datano dataVisitors are sometimes observed on the bank of the creek. Ms Smith reports hearing children down at the creek however i…lowno datano datano datayesno datano datano datano datano datano datano datastationaryno datano datano datano datayesnono datanono datano datano datano data
201520150051/01/2015yesyesyesnoTRUEDouglas Shire Counciln/anonoYesnonoNo dataremoved02/1/2015no data2/01/2015Crocodylus porsus11.3no dataunknownCrees Creek Lake, Ruby Close, Port Douglas-16.522147145.462557no datano datano dataFishing, residential.ModerateCrocodile was caught in the crab pot of a local resident named "Keith". Keith reported the crocodile to Wildlife Habita…yesyesyesyesyesno datano datano datano datano datasubmergedno datano datano datano datanonono datanono datano datano datano data
2015201500627/12/2014non/anonoTRUECassowary Coast Regional Council3nonoYesnoNoNo datan/an/ano data7/01/2015Crocodylus porsus1unkown-largeno datanoCardwell Marina-18.278344146.046842no datano datano dataPublic boat ramp and personal moorings in the marinalowThe person said the crocodile was in the marina slowly swimming, the crocodile did not show any signs of aggression.yesyesyesyesyesno datano datano datano datayesslowlyUnknownno datano datano datayesnono datanono datano datano datano data
201520150077/01/2015non/anonoTRUEDouglas Shire Counciln/anonoYesnonoNo datan/an/ano data7/01/2015Crocodylus porsus13.0no dataunknownDickson Inlet, Port Douglas-16.492055145.459631no datano datano dataFishing, Boating.lowThe person observed the crocodile raise its head and tail on one occasion (This can be a sign of submission). The croco…yesyesyesyesyesno datano datano datano datayesslowlyTowards the mouthno datano datano datanonono datanono datano datano datano data
201520150087/01/2015non/anonoFALSEGympie Regional Counciln/ayesnoyesnonoNo datan/an/ano data8/01/2015unknown10.35 - 0.04no datanoGympie weir on the Mary River in the town of Gympie upstream from the Kidd Bridge-26.19431152.65734no datano datano datafishing, swimming, raftingmoderateno datano datano datano datayesyesno datano datano datano datayesquicklyPushing a school of catfish.no datano datano datayesno datano datano datano datano datano datano data
2015201500910/01/2015non/anonoTRUECairns Regional Council2nononononoNo datan/an/ano data11/01/2015Crocodylus porsus12.0no dataunknownDeadman's Gully, Clifton Beach-16.760529145.673803no datano datano dataSwimming, Fishing, Residential (Walking)ModerateCrocodile was seen by walker in the 'dug out' area of Deadman's Gully. Crocodile is reportedly seen nearly every night…no datano datayesno datano datano datano datano datano datayesstationaryno datano datano datano datanonono datanono datano datano datano data
20152015010No datanon/anonoTRUECassowary Coast Regional Council3nononononoNo datan/an/ano data8/01/2015Crocodylus porsus2no datano dataunknownDunk Island Dam-17.945148146.150641no datano datano dataWater supplylowCrocodile is only seen every now and again and the owner of the resort said that he only sees the head and then the cro…no datano datayesno datano datano datano datano datano datano datastationaryno datano datano datano datayesnono datanono datano datano datano data
The first row as JSON

As it appears in data.json.

GET https://publicdata.au/d/qld-crocwatch-sightings-2010-2015/latest/data.json
{
  "year": 2010,
  "crocodile_reference_number": "2010001",
  "date_sighted": "2/01/2010",
  "crocodile_of_concern": "no",
  "resolved_crocodile_of_concern": "n/a",
  "confirmed_by_officer": "yes",
  "zones_1_or_2": "n/a",
  "crocodile_management_plan": "n/a",
  "local_government_authority": "n/a",
  "management_plan_zone": "n/a",
  "south_of_boyne_river": "no",
  "attack_or_aggressive": "no",
  "location_or_behaviour_a_threat": "no",
  "prevention_barrier_and_stock": "no",
  "urban_management_area": "no",
  "coc_assessment": "n/a",
  "outcome": "no further action",
  "date_removed": "n/a",
  "imminent_threat_to_safety": "n/a",
  "date_of_contact": "2/01/2010",
  "species": "Crocodylus porsus",
  "number_of_crocodiles": "1",
  "size_of_largest_m": "3.0",
  "tracks_left": "no",
  "nest_or_slide_present": "yes",
  "location": "On the northern bank of the Fitzroy River, in a small stream opposite Gaviel Creek in mangroves",
  "latitude": -23.391479,
  "longitude": 150.537065,
  "waterway_or_beach": "Fitzroy River, lower salt water section",
  "habitat": "Mangroves and river on the bank",
  "nearest_public_area": "Rockhampton Town reach and old boat ramp",
  "public_use_type": "Fishing, boating and cast netting, some people observed cast netting in the area in the water",
  "intensity_of_use": "moderate",
  "intensity_of_use_comments": "n/a",
  "all_parts_exposed": "no",
  "eye_exposed": "no",
  "head_exposed": "no",
  "tail_exposed": "yes",
  "head_and_back_exposed": "yes",
  "gait_high": "no",
  "gait_sliding": "no",
  "gait_running": "no",
  "gait_walking": "yes",
  "gait_swimming": "yes",
  "moving_quickly_or_slowly": "slowly",
  "direction_of_travel": "In the area, sunbaking and was startled",
  "two_metres_or_greater": "n/a",
  "in_known_habitat": "n/a",
  "moving_through": "n/a",
  "food_source_fish_frame": "yes",
  "food_source_abattoir": "yes",
  "food_source_crab_pots": "yes",
  "food_source_smelly_bins": "no",
  "food_source_boat_ramp": "no",
  "food_source_dugong": "no",
  "food_source_turtle": "no",
  "food_source_animal_carcass": "n/a"
}

Query it without downloading

The query API returns only the rows you ask for, as JSON, NDJSON or CSV, from the same typed rows as the files. It needs no key. Build a query here and run it, then copy the URL or the code into your own work.

Try rows or aggregate for this dataset. The query builder needs JavaScript.

How filters work

Each filter is field=operator.value in the query string, and every filter must match. A number or date field compares as a number or date, and a text field compares as text. Values are case-sensitive except with ilike. Prefix not. to negate a filter, as not.eq.value.

OperatorWhat it matches
eq.valueEqual to the value.
neq.valueNot equal to the value. A blank cell does not match.
gt.valueGreater than the value.
gte.valueGreater than or equal to the value.
lt.valueLess than the value.
lte.valueLess than or equal to the value.
like.*text*Matches a pattern where * stands for any run of characters. Case-sensitive.
ilike.*text*The same as like, ignoring case.
in.(a,b,c)Equal to any value in the list. A value cannot contain a comma.
is.nullBlank in the source, or suppressed by the publisher.
ParameterWhat it does
selectFields to return, comma-separated. Every field when absent.
orderfield.asc or field.desc, comma-separated. The publisher's row order when absent.
limitRows per page, 1 to 10,000. 100 when absent.
offsetRows to skip. The next URL in each answer sets it for you.
groupOn aggregate, fields to group by, comma-separated.
metricOn aggregate, count, sum.field, avg.field, min.field or max.field, comma-separated. count when absent.
formatjson, ndjson or csv. JSON carries the provenance header, and the others carry it in response headers.

Without a version the API answers from the newest loaded version, and that answer changes when the publisher releases again. Put versions/<date>/ before rows or aggregate for an answer that never changes. /api/v1/datasets/<slug>/versions lists the loaded versions. The 1 newest version is loaded; versions lists them.

The API allows 60 requests in 10 seconds from one address. Above that it answers 429 for 10 seconds with a Retry-After header, a RateLimit-Policy header and a JSON body that gives the limit. Every API answer carries the same RateLimit-Policy. A client should wait the Retry-After seconds, or read the files, which have no limit. openapi.json describes this dataset's query paths for client generators and agents.

https://publicdata.au/mcp is a remote MCP server over Streamable HTTP with the same tools, defined in the same place, so a tool added to the pages is added here too. It needs no key and no account. The row tools are held to the query API's limit of 60 queries in 10 seconds from one address, and each call is two queries because it also counts the matching rows. Add it to Claude Code with claude mcp add --transport http publicdata https://publicdata.au/mcp, add the URL in Claude as a custom connector, or give it to any client that connects to remote MCP servers. Each queryable dataset is also a resource at https://publicdata.au/d/<slug>/fields.json, which lists its fields with their types, the publisher's descriptions, their ranges and the values they hold, so an agent can read a dataset's shape before it writes a query.

What changed

One version for every release the publisher has made since this site started following the dataset. The date is the day the file changed on the portal.

  • 2016-05-27
    1,933 rows57 fieldscp125278649e5b9c61

versions.json · changes.json · history.tar.zst (401 KB, every version's Parquet and manifest)

Questions

How do I download CrocWatch crocodile sightings, Queensland as a CSV file?

Open https://publicdata.au/d/qld-crocwatch-sightings-2010-2015/latest/data.csv. It redirects to the newest dated version, which is https://publicdata.au/d/qld-crocwatch-sightings-2010-2015/v/2016-05-27/data.csv today. The same path serves Excel, JSON, GeoJSON, Parquet, SQLite, DuckDB, GeoPackage, GeoParquet, NDJSON, Arrow. A dated URL never changes, so use it when the file must stay the same.

Can I open CrocWatch crocodile sightings, Queensland in Excel?

Yes. https://publicdata.au/d/qld-crocwatch-sightings-2010-2015/v/2016-05-27/data.xlsx is a workbook with the 1,933 rows on a records sheet, the field list on a second sheet and the provenance on a third. The CSV also opens in Excel. https://publicdata.au/d/qld-crocwatch-sightings-2010-2015/v/2016-05-27/data.csv.gz is the CSV at about a tenth of the size.

What years does CrocWatch crocodile sightings, Queensland cover?

The current version covers 2010 to 2015. Each release from DETSI becomes a new dated version here, and earlier versions stay online.

How often is CrocWatch crocodile sightings, Queensland updated?

DETSI no longer updates it. This site checks the portal every week and adds a dated version when the file changes.

Can I use CrocWatch crocodile sightings, Queensland commercially?

Yes. CC BY 4.0 allows commercial use, redistribution and derived works as long as the attribution is kept. The attribution string is in this page's side column and inside every file.

Is this the official source for CrocWatch crocodile sightings, Queensland?

No. The publisher is Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, and its page is https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/crocodile-sightings-in-queensland. This site republishes the publisher's file without changing its content. The original sits beside every version as source.csv with its SHA-256, so the two can be compared.

What coordinate system does CrocWatch crocodile sightings, Queensland use?

The publisher names no datum. The coordinates are decimal degrees, read as WGS84 (EPSG:4326) and published as given. The GeoJSON file uses the same coordinates, which is what GeoJSON expects.

What this site did to the data. Cells were typed, headers were renamed and the encoding was made UTF-8. Rows were left alone. The publisher's file sits beside every version as source.csv so the change can be checked.

Crocodiles in Queensland is 4 tables here, and each takes its version date from its own file.