“That animal — and animals like him — they play a significant role in our society as totem animals,” Lyall told SBS News.

‘Crocodiles always pay the price’

He’s now at a facility in Cairns, more than 300 kilometres away.

“The crocodile was displaying repeated and concerning behaviour that was escalating. It was ultimately removed to keep people safe.”

Old Faithful is culturally significant to First Nations peoples in Far North Queensland. Source: Supplied

“I felt very sorry for that animal because, he’s been taken out of his natural habitat, been wrongly accused of harassing people for their fish,” Alwyn said.

Testing method questioned

“Any crocodile is going to respond that way so it’s not a true test of an apex predator’s behaviour,” French said.

Rinyirru Lakefield Aboriginal Corproation has written to the Queensland Environment Minister, Andrew Powell calling for Old Faithful be returned and to set up an Indigenous-run sanctuary to home so-called “problem crocodiles”.