An Indian Marsh crocodile that entered a residential area in Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Bombay Powai, M was rescued in the early hours of March 28 following a complaint received at the Mumbai forest range office.
Forest officials said the rescue was carried out around 1.30 am by the night patrol team along with Kurla forest staff, forest guards, members of the NGO SARRP- India, and the Thane Rescue Team. The animal was safely rescued.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Deputy Conservator of Forests (Thane) Sachin Repal, and led by Assistant Conservator of Forests Sonal Walvi and Range Forest Officer (Mumbai) Santosh Dagale.
Those involved in the operation included forester Janardan Bodekar (Kurla), forest guard Chipalunkar, and SARRP INDIA Rescue Team members Santosh Shinde, Arbaz Khan, Sheldon D’Souza, Sandeep Desai, Arun Pandit, Hit Shah and Vinod Gangarkar. A member of the Thane Rescue Team, Bhangne, along with other staff, also participated.
Santosh Shinde, president of SARRP INDIA (spreading awareness on Reptiles & Rehabilitation Programme), said, “The rescue was carried out in coordination with the forest department. The animal was found in a human-dominated area, and our priority was to ensure its safe capture without causing stress or harm. Such incidents highlight the need for awareness and careful handling of wildlife situations.”
About the species
The marsh crocodile, also known as the mugger (Crocodylus palustris), is native to the Indian subcontinent, Myanmar and parts of Iran. It is commonly found in freshwater habitats such as rivers, lakes, ponds, hill streams and reservoirs.
The species was once widely distributed across the region, but its population has declined over time due to habitat loss, hunting, reduction in prey base and increasing human-wildlife interactions.
