Croc rescued from Capital outskirts

BHUBANESWAR: A sub-adult marsh crocodile was rescued from a pond near Mendhasal village, on the outskirts of the city, here on Saturday. A team from Chandaka Wildlife Division captured the mugger, about 5 feet in length, which was later released in a water body inside the sanctuary.The reptile is believed to have escaped from Deras reservoir where at least three to four crocodiles inhabit. This year, water from had reached the full reservoir level for the first time after three years.

This had prompted the authorities to open the sluice gates during which the sub-adult crocodile made its way out. Swimming downstream, the crocodile had crossed over to the pond when the villagers detected the animal and informed forest officials. “It has been released into a water body which has no human habitations nearby,” DFO Kedar Swain said.