A group of fishermen were in for a shock when they accidentally netted a full grown crocodile while fishing in a pond at Sadashivpur Village of Malkangiri district on Wednesday.
As per reports, the fishermen were casting net in a pond at the village today. As soon as they threw the net into the water, they felt a heavy tug. At that moment, they tried to haul it up with the help of other villagers, expecting it to be a large catch. However, when they pulled out the net, to everyone’s amazement, they found a crocodile entangled in it.
Curious locals thronged the place upon hearing the special catch. However, frightened at the sight of the big reptile, the locals then immediately informed the Forest officials.
On being informed, the Forest officials at Balimela forest range rushed to the spot and rescued the crocodile.
The rescued reptile has been sent for a health check-up and will be under observation for next 3 to 4 days. It would then be released into its natural habitat, informed a Forest official.
The villagers in Odisha are no strangers to the incidents of crocodiles being caught in fishing nets. Recently on December 23, Forest officials of the Athagarh Forest Division in Angul district had rescued a Gharial which was stuck in fishing net and later released it in the river.