Balasore: A 7-ft-long crocodile was rescued by forest officials from a canal near Bichitrapur village in Bhograi block of Balasore district on Friday. Villagers spotted the crocodile swimming in the canal connected to the Bay of Bengal near their village on Thursday, creating a tense environment among locals. They informed the forest department.
A special team of 30 forest personnel patrolled the canal to rescue the crocodile. The operation lasted for 11 hours from 2:00 pm on Thursday afternoon to 1:00 am at night, when the crocodile was finally caught.
Range officer, Jaleswar, Jayashri Murmu said the rescued crocodile will be released into Bhitarkanika National Park. It is suspected that the crocodile might have escaped into the canal during Cyclone Dana, she added.