Croc spotted at swimming beach captured - Australia

A 2.5 metre crocodile that forced the closure of three far-north Queensland beaches has been captured.

Lifeguards closed Kewarra, Clifton and Palm Cove beaches north of Cairns on Saturday when the saltwater crocodile was spotted in a stinger net enclosure at Kewarra Beach.

An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) spokesman said under arrangements with Cairns council, rangers and council lifesavers followed the crocodile by boat until an opportunity arose to capture it.

Rangers on Saturday night caught the crocodile near Ellis Beach, about 30km north of Cairns.

The animal was taken to an EPA holding facility in Cairns, and will be offered to a crocodile farm or zoo.

- AAP