More Than 50 Crocodiles Rescued From Flash Floods In Gujarat After Water Enters Their Habitat

The Gujarat Forest Department officials along with wildlife activists have rescued 52 crocodiles from Vadodara district which was recently hit by flash floods.

The rescue and release of crocodiles are being done by the district forest department in coordination with Wildlife SOS and Gujarat Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA). A 24-hour helpline has been made active to receive reports of such sightings in the district.

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"As the water levels are receding, the crocodiles are migrating towards other water bodies. All of the rescued crocodiles have been released back into Vishwamitri River, which is their natural habitat," Nidhi Dave, Range Forest Officer- Vadodara told ANI.

The Vishwamitri River is said to be home to nearly 260 crocodiles. Wildlife activists said that crocodiles venture out of the river to avoid heavy flow and prefer to rest in small ponds.

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Earlier this week officials had rescued a massive 16-foot-long crocodile from slums near Karelibaug area of the district.

On Monday, volunteers of Wildlife Rescue Trust (WRT) had rescued another four-feet-long crocodile from a neighbouring village.

A large number of crocodiles being spotted in human habitats after heavy rains and flooding is nothing new in Gujarat.

It is not just in Gujarat that the crocodiles have been affected by the floods.

Earlier this month visuals of a crocodile on a flooded rooftop in Belgaum, Karnataka had gone viral.

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In the 15-second viral video, the crocodile can be seen sitting with its mouth open on the roof and the people who shot the video can be seen talking in the background.