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A golfer has been attacked by a saltwater crocodile and bitten on the shin at the Palmer Sea Reef Golf Course at Port Douglas.

The 70-year-old man is believed to have disturbed the 1.2 metre crocodile while recovering his ball from a water feature.

John Lahiff was transferred to the Cairns Hospital yesterday (14th April) after being attacked on the course owned by federal MP Clive Palmer.

From his hospital bed in Cairns, Lahiff told the ABC that he had seen crocodiles on the course before and should have been more wary of them. He was attacked after retrieving a ball from a water trap on the 11th hole.

Lahiff stated “I drove a cart around there to retrieve the ball and I didn’t see the croc sunbaking just on the edge of the water … it’s partly my fault for disturbing it … it was just sunbaking.”

Wildlife officers from the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection are now trying to capture the crocodile.

A Department spokesperson advised that it was very unusual behaviour for a smaller crocodile of this size to interact with people.

The spokesperson explained “crocodiles are known to be in the area and access the golf course via creeks, and as such, warning signs are in place.

"It is not the first time a crocodile has been removed from a golf course in the region."

If captured, the crocodile will be taken to a zoo or crocodile farm.

A trap and warning signs have been set up at the hole where the man was bitten.

Crocodiles are a common sight on golf courses in Far North Queensland and signs warn golfers of the dangers.

8th July 2014 - CROCODILE BITES HANDLER AT SHOALHAVEN ZOO

25th June 2014 - DUBAI AQUARIUM WELCOMES MONSTER AUSSIE CROCODILE

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