Acting on a tip-off, officials from the forest department and the Mumbai Police seized a live juvenile crocodile during a raid at a slum in Juhu and arrested one person identified as Imran Ismail Sheikh, a resident of Moragai Shankar Chawl. Officials said they are now probing the source of the protected reptile and how it was illegally procured.
A Thane Forest Department (Territorial) official said that based on the tip-off received by Unit 9 of the Crime Branch on February 3, authorities, with the assistance of NGO SARRP President Santosh Shinde, raided Sheikh’s residence and seized one Indian crocodile and one Indian spotted turtle.
Following the seizure, the accused was arrested and booked under multiple provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, including Sections 2(1), 9, 39, 44, 48, 48(A) and 51, for illegal possession and offences related to protected wildlife species.
Sources from the forest department confirmed that further investigation is underway to ascertain the source of the animals, possible links to wildlife trafficking networks, and whether similar illegal activities were being carried out in the area.
The incident once again highlights the persistent and worrying trend of illegally capturing and keeping protected wildlife within urban settlements, underscoring the urgent need for stronger enforcement, surveillance, and public awareness to curb wildlife crimes.
The Indian marsh crocodile, also known as the mugger crocodile, is found across the Indian subcontinent, including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and parts of Iran. It thrives in freshwater environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and marshes, and can also adapt to man-made reservoirs. Unlike the saltwater crocodile, the mugger avoids saline habitats.
The Indian marsh crocodile is an important species in maintaining the ecological balance in its habitat, playing a critical role as a top predator. However, with increasing human encroachment, efforts to conserve this species are crucial.
