<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Wildlife rangers are investigating an attack on a crocodile after the reptile was seen with a spear or arrow protruding from its head.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Footage of the injured saltwater crocodile emerged at Cape Tribulation in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/queensland" rel="" target="_blank" title="Queensland"><span>Queensland</span></a><span> on February 20.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Rangers visited the site where the injured animal was reported, but were unable to find it.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/tropical-cyclone-alfred-live-updates-tracker-queensland-power-outages-evacuations-latest-news-headlines/13081401-e614-459c-b757-a972f4037c5d"><strong><span>'EVACUATE NOW': Cyclone danger reaches critical point</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They confirmed it had been impaled with an arrow or spear in the right side of its head.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The crocodile would be in extreme pain and if not captured and assessed, will most likely die a slow and agonising death," Department of Environment, Science, Tourism and Innovation official Simon Booth said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Unfortunately, if we are successful in locating and capturing the animal, it may have to be euthanised due to the extent of its injuries.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/rangers-investigating-after-crocodile-impaled-in-shocking-attack/710c60ee-7ba0-4d1e-9a4c-255c45a54888" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We are disgusted by this shocking incident, and it is disheartening to know that people can be so cruel.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Queenslanders do not tolerate animal cruelty and targeting and deliberately shooting an arrow at a crocodile or any native animal is unacceptable."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Harming or killing a crocodile can carry a maximum penalty of $36,000.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Anyone with information about the attack has been urged to contact officials.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple App Store</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>.</span></em></strong></div></div>