Vadodara: The 10.50 legs were found dead on the Vishwamitri River on Tuesday morning.
This is the fourth dead crocodile to be arrested outside the river in the last 45 days.
Sudden death from protected reptiles based on Schedule I of the wildlife protection law has left forest officials and confused wildlife activists.
“I noticed the body of the crocodile floating near the Ghoda bridge on the Wiswamitri River following what I was told for forest officials.
The reptile body was pulled out of the river and was sent for post mortem by the Forestry Department,” said Sangi Soni, who lived on the banks of the river.
Forest officers say that crocodiles do not have a sign of injury to his body so as not to die in a territorial battle.
“It weighs around 150 kilograms.
We are waiting for postmortem reports to confirm the cause of his death,” said Nidhi Dave, Range Forest Officer, Vadodara.
The Wiswamitri River which passes the heart of the city is home to around 270 crocodiles.
Stretching 1 km between Kala Ghoda and Bridge Bhimnath have a thick crocodile population.
On June 26, two crocodiles were found dead in the river near Ghoda and on June 28, the reptiles who were 12 feet were dead, weighing around 300 kilograms pulled out of the same place.
Forest officials said that while one of the crocodiles died of natural reasons, postmortem from two other bodies was impossible because it was very unraveled.
MM Rajyaguru, assistant forest conservator, said, “We will ask the Gujarat pollution control agency (GPCB) to test the water sample from the stretch where the crocodile was found dead.
Also, we have sent a Viscera sample from the crocodile to Anand Veterinary College for conclusive results about the cause His death.
“Vishal Thakur, an animal activist, said,” The authorities must ensure the reason behind the sudden death of the crocodile in the river and take immediate action.
One reason their deaths might be polluted water.
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