Hyderabad, June 19: Deer’s venturing in agricultural fields is quite common in Pamapuram village in Kothakota mandal. But since last few days, residents here are encountering with new strangers in the village water bodies.
It is neither leopards nor any wild cats, but it is crocodiles that are leaving the villagers in a state of panic. Staying cool in the muddy waters of Pedda Cheruvu and Chinna Cheruvu ponds, couple of crocodiles, have made their way into these water bodies.
Attacks
Since then the crocodiles have started attacking the cattle and sheep that go to the ponds to quench their thirst. Growing suspicious over the attacks, the villagers informed the matter to local MPTC Uma Maheshwar Reddy and Wanaparthy forest officials.
Struggling for over two hours, villagers and forest department officials on Thursday morning trapped a 2-metre long crocodile, weighing over 50 kgs from an open well and shifted it to the Jurala Reservoir in an autorickshaw.
According to the villagers, these crocodiles could have swum into the village ponds from the nearby Jurala water canals, which are hardly 100 yards away.
They have been staying in the ponds and open wells in the village, informed Wanaparthy Forest Range Officer P.V. Ramakrishna.
Barricade
After observing for three days, a plan was hatched to catch the crocodile alive without causing any injuries. A makeshift barricade was constructed around an open well to prevent the crocodile from entering into it.
Using an earthmover, the small bunker, in which the crocodile was spotted was demolished and later the crocodile was caught with ropes, explained Mr. Ramakrishna.
On the possibility of more crocodiles in the vicinity, he said that the forest officials were monitoring the locality and warning signboards were placed near the ponds and wells.
“As and when a crocodile is spotted, we would trap it and shift to Jurula Reservoir. We have also alerted the higher authorities and Nehru Zoological Park authorities,” said Mr. Ramakrishna.
–Agencies