Queensland crocodile attack: Theories surface as to why man mauled by crocodile ignored warning signs

A man who was mauled by a crocodile before it ate his dog has revealed the bizarre reason he ignored warning signs and ventured into the croc-infested waters.

Alister MacPhee had been travelling through Far North Queensland and took his dog Molly down to the Bloomfield boat ramp - 60km south of Cooktown - for a swim.

Footage captured from the incident shows appears MacPhee stripping down to his budgie smugglers and approaching the water with his dog by his side.

Both were attacked by a 4.2m saltwater crocodile after they waded into the waters.

The man managed to get away after the croc spotted the dog. Photo / Supplied

He has now revealed why he ignored warning signs and risked his life — he was attempting to catch a water python.

Donning a pair of budgie smugglers, MacPhee walked right into the path of the submerged saltie, which bit the traveller on the leg before switching targets to his dog.

Footage captured from the incident shows the moment he made it back to the boat ramp before being flown by rescue helicopter to Cairns Hospital.

While MacPhee has not spoken publicly about the incident, comments on Facebook posts made in the weeks leading up to the incident have surfaced potential reasons for the dangerous expedition.

“It’s hard to go full bush hear (sic) everything is native land,” he wrote in the comments to a friend.

“I want to catch a big water python but the croc’s ya see.”

MacPhee said he "want(s) to catch a big water python" in a Facebook thread. Photo / Facebook

Footage of the incident captures the moment the croc lunged at MacPhee before he stumbled back to the boat ramp clutching his leg.

Wildlife officers from the Department of Environment and Science told the Cairns Post that the saltie was found and shot on Thursday, and Molly’s remains were sadly found in its stomach.

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The Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council had posted warnings of a croc sighting to social media on January 9.

“Be careful near the boat ramp and surrounds,” it read.

“There is a crocodile there!”

The man was taken to hospital for treatment of a leg wound. Photo / Supplied

In a statement released by Cairns Hospital, MacPhee thanked those who helped care for him while he was still “recovering from (his) injuries”.

“I want to thank emergency services and staff at Cairns Hospital for looking after me,” he said.

“Especially Magic Molly (my dog) who was always by my side.

“I have, unfortunately, learned the hard way.

“Everyone needs to be croc-wise in croc territory.”