17 March,2026 09:31 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav
A nine-foot-long marsh crocodile being rescued from the campus of IIT Bombay by forest officials and rescuers on March 15
A nearly five-foot-long Indian marsh crocodile has been spotted in a water body in Mira-Bhayandar near the boundary of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), with videos of the reptile quickly going viral on social media. Forest department officials, with assistance from NGOs, are planning to safely capture the crocodile, fearing that antisocial elements could harm the reptile.
The water body in Mira-Bhayandar, near the boundary of SGNP, where the nearly five-foot-long crocodile was spotted. Pics/By Special Arrangement
The crocodile was seen in a privately owned water body close to the park boundary. Videos circulating on WhatsApp and other platforms claimed residents were living in fear, but locals told mid-day there is no panic in the area and alleged the clips were shared mainly to garner likes and attention.
A forest department source said, "There are two adjacent ponds, each around 15-20 feet deep, and not one but two crocodiles have been spotted in the water bodies".
Speaking to mid-day, Rohit Mohite of Wildlife Welfare Association (WWA) and Asif Patrawala of Spreading Awareness on Reptiles and Rehabilitation Programme (SARRP)
India said residents should remain calm and avoid approaching the reptiles, warning that any provocation could lead to a human-wildlife conflict situation.
The sighting has also puzzled locals, as there is no major river or dam close to the location.
A nine-foot-long marsh crocodile was rescued from the campus of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay on Sunday, March 15, morning.
The reptile was first spotted by campus security staff, who alerted the forest department. A joint team from Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare and the forest department carried out the rescue operation.
The crocodile is currently under medical examination and observation. Officials said it will be released into its natural habitat after veterinarians declare it fit.
