Pune: Scaring the locals with its frequent
appearance, a 150 kg crocodile was finally netted from the
Khadakwasla Dam after a year-long search.
The reptile was captured last night after a 10-hour long
operation undertaken by forest and zoo officials, who were
joined by cadets of the National Defence Academy (NDA).
A forest department spokesman said the four-foot long
crocodile, which had remained elusive for about a year after
being spotted on and off in the dam, was netted after the
irrigation officials reduced the water flow in the dam to
make the animal visible.
A squad of animal keepers of the Katraj Snake Park, fire
brigade personnel and police, too, were kept in readiness
while the `operation crocodile` was underway.
The crocodile, currently kept at the Snake Park would
be sent to a wild life sanctuary in Sangli district.
The presence of the crocodile had affected the boating
and exercises of the NDA cadets.
PTI
