KARWAR: Tension prevailed at the INS Kadamba Naval Base residential quarters near Kamat Beach on Monday after residents spotted a crocodile.
An 8.5-foot-long female crocodile got stuck on a fence at the base. The naval base officials sought the help of the Forest Department and local experts to rescue the crocodile.
According to sources, the crocodile entered the base a few days ago. Following heavy rain, the crocodile might have entered the base along with rainwater, it is suspected.
About eight men from Karwar range forest office and four members of an animal rescue team, ‘Daring Team’, rushed to the spot to rescue the crocodile. They struggled till afternoon to catch the crocodile which was active and healthy.
Mahesh Naik, a member of Daring Team, said the crocodile is about four or four-and-a-half year-old. “It’s very healthy and it took several hours to catch it. The crocodile might have entered the base along with rainwater from upper ghats area about a week ago,” he said.
After struggling for a few hours, the rescue team successfully caught the crocodile and took it in a truck to release it into Gangavali river in Ankola taluk. Forest Department officials said crocodiles are not found in large numbers in coastal areas. Crocodiles need pleasant atmosphere. Therefore they live in upper ghat (Western Ghats) areas, that too in river basins.
“There are many crocodiles near Dandeli and some parts of Gangavali river. We have also found crocodiles at some small rivers in Western Ghats area in Karwar taluk. This crocodile may come along with rainwater from Amdalli and Kadra forest area,” said an official.
“The Daring Team caught a couple of crocodiles at Gokarna and Agargona village in Kumta and Ankola taluks. But no crocodiles were found in Karwar area,” the added.