Multiple Crocodile Rescues Reported in Odisha Villages Amid Rising Populations

Recent crocodile sightings and rescues in India have raised safety concerns among local residents. In Dharmapuri, a crocodile appeared in the Godavari river during the Sravanamasam rituals, causing panic among devotees, with authorities attributing the appearance to rising floodwaters. In Odisha's Kendrapara district near Bhitarkanika National Park, multiple crocodiles ranging from 6 to 7 feet in length have been spotted in village ponds, prompting forest department rescue operations. These reptiles, believed to have strayed due to flooding and high tides, were safely netted and released back into their natural habitats without harm to humans or the animals. The local crocodile population has significantly increased over the decades, from 96 in 1974 to over 1,800 recently, highlighting both ecological recovery and the need for vigilance in human-wildlife interactions. Authorities continue to urge caution as monsoon-related water surges influence crocodile movements into populated areas.