A small crocodile was recently spotted crawling across a road in Vadodara, causing quite a stir. The video of the incident went viral as curious onlookers stopped to watch and record the scene. This sighting is part of a trend, as nine crocodiles have been rescued in the city over the past three weeks. The rise in crocodile sightings is linked to the Vadodara Municipal Corporation’s (VMC) flood-mitigation project. This project includes cleaning canals and culverts connected to the Vishwamitri River. As the canals are cleaned, young crocodiles are displaced and venture into urban areas in search of new homes.
The viral video was recorded on Wednesday. Karansinh Rajput, a Range Forest Officer in Vadodara, explained that since mid-June, about eight or nine crocodiles have been rescued. These crocodiles are mostly around two feet long and found near local drains. After being rescued, they are observed for two days. If they are uninjured, they are released back into the Vishwamitri River.
Larger crocodiles usually come into residential areas only during floods. Dr. Pratyush Patankar, curator of the Sayajibaug Zoo and a member of the Vishwamitri project panel, noted that the canal cleaning has revealed that crocodiles also inhabit the canal system. This fact was not fully understood before the cleaning efforts began.
Patankar commented, “After the desilting and dredging, the Vishwamitri has taken on the shape of a river. The culverts are now being cleaned, and it is likely that these crocodiles were previously living in them. No one noticed this before. Now that the river is being cleaned, we are seeing baby crocodiles and even adults in the canals.”
He added that on Friday morning, an adult crocodile was spotted in the Ruparel kaans. Crocodiles are now more visible because workers are entering these areas for cleaning. In areas like Bhukhi kaans, near the MS University campus, sub-adult crocodiles have been frequently seen. As vegetation is removed, their hiding spots disappear, forcing them to seek new territories.
Since March last year, the VMC and the state irrigation department have been cleaning the Vishwamitri River, which spans about 50 km. Patankar explained that crocodiles are territorial and will try to find safer spaces when adults claim their territory. Baby crocodiles stay with their mothers for about a year. Once they are independent, they must move to avoid adult crocodiles.
Size is crucial among reptiles, especially during territorial disputes, and cannibalism is common as well. Thus, young crocodiles often move away from adult territories. Patankar noted that crocodiles prefer to migrate at night, which explains why most rescues occur during the nighttime or early morning.
These incidents are not new for Vadodara residents. Last year, heavy rains flooded the Vishwamitri River, pushing many crocodiles into urban areas. As the monsoon season continues, the chances of seeing these reptiles in towns increase. The situation has sparked various reactions from social media users, with some expressing concern for both the crocodiles and the public.
Overall, the recent sightings of crocodiles in Vadodara highlight the delicate balance between urban development and wildlife habitats. As human activities impact natural ecosystems, it is crucial to be aware of how such changes can lead to unexpected encounters with wildlife.