Wild moment crocodile battles sharks in front of stunned beachgoer at North Queensland
Wild footage captured the moment a crocodile was surrounded by several sharks as they beasts vied for food at a beach.
Wild footage captured the moment a crocodile was surrounded by several sharks as they beasts vied for food at a beach.
The video, which was uploaded to TikTok by local fisherman Vincent Bates, showed the creatures swimming in the water at the beach in North Queensland.
A large croc was seen encircled by the sharks as the reptile waited to capture its prey close to the shore.
The sharks, which were also hunting for food, swam just metres away from the croc in a bid to ward off the predator.
One of the sharks splashed its tail in the shallow water violently, but the move did little to deter the croc from leaving or striking back.
The sharks then scurried away a few moments later.
The clip also showed several sharks closing in on the croc from behind while another crocodile also approached the shoreline.
Mr Bates filmed the intense moment while standing just metres away from the scene.
Local fisherman Vincent Bates captured the wild face off between the creatures at a beach in North Queensland recently (pictured)
Crocodile and sharks battle for territory, he captioned the clip.
Social media users were quick to express their shock over the incredible face-off between the creatures.
The battle was crazy, one wrote.
Now thats scary, another added.
Others said they would stay clear from entering the crocodile and shark infested waters.
Definitely no swimming, one wrote.
Pools for me, another wrote.
Some suggested the creatures may have approached the shore because they werent able to forage for food elsewhere in ocean.
The problem is over fishing in deeper waters by huge ships as sharks only come searching for food in shallow beaches, one wrote.
Human Society International marine biologist Laura Sandeman said overfishing may not have been the cause.
This certainly seems to be an instance of predators looking for an opportunity to get a quick meal with a fishing boat in the water, she told Yahoo.
Crocodiles often hunt for food closer to the waters edge.
The creatures disguise themselves cleverly in the water and can wait for up to an hour before they pounce on their prey.
Visitors to beaches and areas designated as croc country are urged to stay at least five metres away from the waters edge to protect themselves.
