Lawrence Perticato, whose home in Cordelia backs onto the Herbert River, reported the saltwater crocodile to authorities after noticing a "Dramatic" change in its behaviour.

He said the animal "thrashed and had a go" at him while he was mowing his lawn, and had eaten three of his neighbour's chickens.

"He started to come for us and stalk us on the riverbank here," Mr Perticato said.

"I've lived on the river all my life and have become accustomed to crocodiles, and I know when there's a dangerous one," he said.

"With this guy stalking us the way he has been, it's become very concerning.

"I do a lot of fishing here in the river and haven't been able to put my boat in because it's just too dangerous."

'Could have been bad news':

Wildlife officer Ella Meeve said the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation had been trying to trap the animal for a couple of months.

"Three-point-nine metres is a big animal, so that absolutely poses a significant risk to human life," Ms Meeve said.

"If people were to walk too close to the water, it could have been bad news," she said.

"We've been going up there two to three times a week, just trying to change the bait over and maintain that trap."

Their efforts to use a floating trap were hampered by wet weather and flooding.

Eventually the crocodile was captured in a gated trap on the banks of the river and collected by wildlife officers on Monday.

"We are all very relieved that we have now removed that animal," Ms Meeve said.

"He was not very thrilled.

"He was very vocal — there were a lot of growls and bellows."

'They're not scared of us':

The animal has been driven to Townsville and will be delivered to a crocodile farm or zoo.

Mr Perticato said spending months "on edge" had been a wake-up call for him and his neighbours.

"It doesn't matter whether you've lived on the river all your life, or near rivers or waterways, just be 'croc-wise' all the time," he said.

"Their numbers in this river have multiplied exponentially over the last 20 years.

"They're just becoming more game now – they're not scared of us."

One of Mr Perticato's neighbours had dubbed the crocodile "Herbie" in honour of the river it roamed.

"But I don't give them any names," Mr Perticato said.

"I don't like to get too attached."

Original Story By | Lily Nothling