Dandeli, 13 Dec

Residents of Dandeli successfully captured a mugger crocodile that had wandered into a residential area, releasing it safely back into the Kali River near Gate No. 3 on Haliyal Road.

Eyewitnesses reported that the crocodile, believed to have emerged from the Kali River via drainage channels, was seen moving through the locality, stirring panic among the community. While crocodile sightings along the river are not uncommon, their venture into inhabited areas is considered rare.

The Forest Department was notified; however, locals decided to take matters into their own hands due to delays in official response. In a united effort, residents covered the crocodile’s head with a gunny sack to restrain it, tied a rope around its snout, and carefully dragged it back to the riverbank. The reptile was released unharmed into the water.

Dandeli, situated in the Western Ghats and part of the Kali Tiger Reserve, is renowned for its vibrant wildlife. The Kali River is home to a significant population of mugger crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris), making human-crocodile interactions an ongoing concern in riverside communities.