Hyderabad, november 17: After playing hide and seek with rescue teams for the last 10 days, the stray crocodile decided to ‘take a walk’ on the nearby road in the wee hours of Tuesday morning.
On discovering the reptile was missing, rescue team members searched the area and found it on the road near the pond. They tried to stop it by throwing stones on the road, following which it escaped into nearby bushes. The crocodile was finally caught by using a noose tied around its snout and its eyes were covered using gunny bags, thereby immobilizing the powerful reptile.
The entire 25 to 30 feet water in the pond had been drained out by Monday midnight after eight 10 HP pumps had been at work. Hence, the reptile could not take refuge underwater anymore. The rescue operation was over by 6.30 a.m and the crocodile was then sent to the Nehru Zoological Park, where it was checked by the veterinary doctor. Later, it was released in the Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary.
The reptile estimated to be 10 to 12 feet long, turned out to be an eight feet long male reptile, about 10 years old. Its health was recorded as normal, even after having to stay underwater due to human disturbances.
“We tested the crocodile’s health and found it to be a normal 10-year- old male. After sex determination, we decided to release it in the Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary. We already have 50 crocodiles there and quiet a few are males. While male crocodiles are known for their territorial fights, it is safer for it go back from where it came possibly,” said zoo education officer, Noor Ahmed.
–Agencies