RESCUED CROC DIES ON WAY TO KUKRAIL
LUCKNOW: A 4-year-old crocodile rescued from near Ekana Stadium here on Friday afternoon died while being taken to the Kukrail gharial breeding centre for treatment.The wild animal was spotted by locals, after which a rescue team from the forest department was called in. “A strong smell was coming from the animal, indicating the possibility of some infection. It could have also been due to polluted water,” said a senior forest official. Officials said the animal was lying still when the forest team reached the spot. “The crocodile may have come out of river Gomti flowing near the spot where it was found,” said a team member. Arunima Singh, member turtle survival alliance, who went to rescue the animal, said, “As we tried to
capture the crocodile, it hardly resisted. Its tail had infection and its skin had become soft.” Officials said there was a pond near the spot where the animal was found and the river was not too far either. However, unlike the usual behaviour of wild animals, the crocodile did not run away.
“Only when a sack was put on its eyes, it offered some resistance. But, it was quickly captured,” said a team member, adding, “I suppose the animal had been there for 4 or 5 hours, but it did not move even though people were around. It died just as it was to be left in Kukrail.” Divisional forest officer Manoj Sonkar said that a post-mortem examination was being conducted. “More details will come out in a day,” he said.