This story is from July 31, 2014

20 crocodiles captured from Vadodara

While the rains have brought much-needed relief to Barodians, the crocodile scare is keeping them on their toes.
20 crocodiles captured from Vadodara
VADODARA: While the rains have brought much-needed relief to Barodians, the crocodile scare is keeping them on their toes. Since the monsoons hit the city this year, over 20 crocodiles have been captured from different parts of the city and adjacent villages. The forest department has been on an alert over last two weeks as it is being flooded with calls from people, especially those staying in the vicinity of Vishwamitri river.
The forest department has deployed its officials and volunteers to rescue the crocodiles. "We have been getting lot of calls after water levels went up in Vishwamitri River and other water bodies in Vadodara. We have already captured 20 crocodiles and released them safely at places where they face least human conflict. Most of the reptiles we captured were babies," said V K Saxena, divisional forest officer (in-charge), Vadodara.
An adult crocodile was captured from Vemali village on the outskirts of the city on Wednesday. Rakesh Vadhwana of the Crocodile Group said that the crocodile had been camping in the compound of a resident in Vemali village over last three days. "The reptile strayed out of Vishwamitri River. We captured it and released it in safe habitat. We are now looking for a crocodile that has entered a farm near Manjusar-GIDC," Vadhwana told TOI.
Three days ago, an adult crocodile was caught from Pilol village. Saxena said that they have captured crocodiles from Sama-Savli, Vemali, Padra and other adjacent villages over last few days. "We have deployed a team of rescuers at our control room in Kamatibaug. People can call up on toll free number 1800-233 2636 if they spot crocodiles or other reptiles in their vicinity. Our team will immediately respond," Saxena said.
Vadhwana said that the crocodile awareness campaign organized by the forest department has succeeded this year as people have preferred to keep away from river banks. "The incidents of crocodile attacks after the rains began are less so far," Vadhwana said.
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