Kendrapara, Odisha: A giant saltwater crocodile, measuring 14.2 feet and weighing around 400 kilograms, was rescued from a shrimp farm in Khunta village, Rajkanika block, following the turbulence caused by Cyclone Dana.
The reptile had wandered into the farm from the nearby Khola River on Friday. Forest officials, alerted by the locals, initiated a challenging rescue mission that lasted seven hours and involved a team of ten personnel. Using specialized nets, the team successfully captured the crocodile without harm.
“The animal was later released into the Khola River within Bhitarkanika National Park,” said a forest official. “It was unharmed and did not show any aggression toward people during the operation.”
The sudden appearance of the massive reptile caused panic among villagers, though many couldn’t resist capturing photographs with it before the forest team removed it.
The region frequently experiences similar incidents, with crocodiles straying into village ponds and farms from nearby rivers. To mitigate risks, officials have installed barricades around water bodies to protect residents.
“We encourage villagers to use only the sections within the barricaded areas to avoid conflicts with wildlife,” added the official.
Thanks to the quick intervention of the forest department, the crocodile was returned to its habitat, providing a sense of relief to the community.