Crocodile that terrorised people for nine months in Kothaiyaru Caught

A crocodile that had been causing fear among people in the Kothaiyaru area of Kanniyakumari district for the past nine months has finally been caught.
People in the area had spotted the crocodile in Kothaiyaru near Thirparappu in December last year and recorded its movement on video. Following this, the Forest Department initiated steps to capture the crocodile. A special team was brought in from Chennai for the operation.
Despite employing various strategies, the team could not catch the crocodile. Later, after information was received that the crocodile had been spotted near the Kaliyakkal river bridge, the team returned to the Kothaiyaru area and began monitoring its movements.
A net was subsequently set up along the routes used by the crocodile. Yesterday morning, the crocodile was caught in the net laid near the Onnilakkal river bridge.
The capture of the crocodile, which had evaded efforts for more than nine months, has brought relief to local residents.
The crocodile is estimated to weigh around 300 kg. Forest Department personnel rescued the crocodile and took it to the Zero Point Forest Department office.Officials said a decision on where the crocodile will be released will be taken after consultations with higher authorities.