A female ranger who was mauled by a crocodile in front of shocked tourists in Townsville yesterday is expected to make a full recovery.

Renee Robertson, 25, was bitten on the arm during the attack, which tourists at Billabong Sanctuary initially thought was part of the feeding show.

Billabong Sanctuary owner Bob Flemming told the ABC Ms Robertson had surgery on her arm and was now recovering.

"There was no nerve damage so that was the best news we could have had," Mr Flemming said.

"She had surgery and last report I heard she was sitting up in bed having an ice block. We're very fortunate that she's going to fully recover."

Footage of the attack shows the crocodile, named Tipper, dart out of the water and towards Ms Robertson before dragging her to the ground just after 3.30pm yesterday.

A fellow ranger in the enclosure rushes to help, hitting the crocodile with a stick until it releases Ms Robertson's arm.

"The screams you could hear were shocking, we felt so helpless for the poor woman in the enclosure,"

"Luckily the girl was only attacked by the small female crocodile ... there was a larger male one near the water that was twice as big."

Ms Robertson, who was acting as a spotter during the show and was still training to work with male crocodiles, was rushed to Townsville Hospital in a serious condition.

Mr Flemming said there had not been an attack at the park for more than 20 years and the crocodile would not be killed.