Sighting of crocodile at Uppar Canal creates flutter in Puducherry

People in Puducherry flocked to Kamaraj Salai to catch a glimpse of a crocodile spotted in Uppar Canal. Officials from Forest, Revenue and Public Works Dept. inspected the area but were unable to locate the reptile. It is believed to be a freshwater crocodile (Mugger). The Forest Dept. is working to locate and capture the animal before heavy rain. People living near the canal are advised to inform the Dept. if they spot it.

The sighting of a crocodile at Uppar Canal in Puducherry on Monday, November 20, 2023 created a flutter among people passing through Kamaraj Salai.

Onlookers started gathering on the bridge near Balaji Theatre to have a glimpse of the reptile that had crept into the heart of the town.

People passing by the area parked their vehicles on either side of the busy Kamaraj Salai to get a glimpse of the rarely seen species in Puducherry.

The crocodile was first spotted by a person working in a furniture mart. It then disappeared from the place after being in the vicinity for sometime.

 A team of officials, including Forest, Revenue and Public Works Department arrived at the spot and scanned the canal area near the Balaji Theatre but could not locate the reptile.

Conservator of Forest Vanjulavalli Sridhar, who inspected the spot, told The Hindu the reptile seems to be a freshwater crocodile (Mugger).

 “I have examined the visuals captured by the person who first spotted the reptile. It seems to be a Mugger. There is no habitat for the reptile in the nearby area, the only exception being the upstream area of Sanakarabarani. The upstream area of the river has got a crocodile population. The other possibility could be relocation of the reptile by someone who was nurturing a juvenile Mugger all these days,” she said.