Forest department captures crocodile in Kodhayar River

A crocodile that was occasionally sighted in Kodhayar River near Orunadaikkal Palam at Kadayal in Kanniyakumari district was captured by forest officials on Monday.

The sightings by residents of Kadayalumoodu caused concern to people in the area and the Forest Department intensified surveillance and set up traps at different locations along the river to capture the reptile.

According to a forest official, the captured crocodile was a seven-year-old female weighing around 85 kg. Five traps were set up at different locations along the river in the area. The crocodile was taken to Zero Point in Pechiparai, where it was examined by a veterinary team. It was subsequently released into the Karaiyar dam area in Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.