Mumbai: 9-foot-long crocodile safely rescued from Mulund residential society

PTC News Desk: A 9-foot-long female Indian Marsh crocodile was rescued from the Nirmal Lifestyle housing society in Mulund on Sunday morning by members of the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW), in coordination with officials from the forest department. The forest department’s control room had received a distress call earlier, reporting the presence of the large crocodile in the residential society, prompting immediate action.

The founder of RAWW and honorary wildlife warden with the forest department, Pawar Sharma, confirmed that the crocodile was safely rescued at around 6:30 a.m. Following the rescue, a thorough medical examination was conducted by veterinarians Dr. Priti Sathe and Dr. Kirti Sathe, who are associated with RAWW. After the examination, the crocodile was declared healthy and fit for release back into its natural habitat.

This sighting comes amid frequent reports of crocodiles being spotted in residential areas due to seasonal flooding. In July, a crocodile caused alarm when it was seen in Mumbai’s Mithi River, which is part of its natural habitat. Residents were advised to respect the animal’s space and avoid the river. The same month, in Chiplun, another crocodile surprised locals as it wandered onto a main road during heavy rains.

Flooding in regions like Maharashtra and Gujarat has displaced several crocodiles from their habitats, leading to increased sightings near rivers and in residential areas. In Vadodara, for example, 24 crocodiles were rescued over a span of two days after the Vishwamitra River flooded. While the crocodiles ventured into nearby residential areas, no injuries to humans were reported.

Such incidents highlight the impact of monsoon flooding on wildlife, as these creatures are often forced to relocate from their habitats, creating potential safety risks for both animals and humans.