SYDNEY, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Queensland state is investigating the shooting of a large crocodile in its northern region, following images of the reptile's carcass that were widely circulated on social media, authorities said on Wednesday.
Wildlife officers recovered the remains of a 4.3-meter-long estuarine crocodile late last month and the animal "appeared to have been shot," the state's department of environment and science said in a statement.
Images of the "monster croc" hung up on the banks of a river were posted online before being deleted, local media reported.
Crocodiles are a protected species in the state and those caught killing the reptiles can be fined more than 28,000 Australian dollars (20,925 U.S. dollars). Male estuarine or saltwater crocodiles grow to an average of 3-4 meters long.
The department also reminded members of the public not to approach wild crocodiles, which are commonly found in the northern area and regularly spark concerns about attacks on humans. At least three fatal attacks have been linked to crocodiles in the past two years, according to local media.
