A 69-year-old man has been charged with taking protected wildlife, with the investigation into the alleged killing of a three metre crocodile in far north Queensland.

Queensland Boating and Fisheries patrol officers discovered the dead estuarine crocodile attached to a trap in Sorenson Creek, south of Cairns, on January 18.

Surveillance cameras later set up, captured the 69-year-old man entering the creek and removing the crocodile carcass from the trap.

The man is due to appear in court in Cairns Magistrates Court on February 7.