Category Archives: Reptiles

HYDERABAD: After a week-long rescue operation, the crocodile has managed to survive in the pond, without any feed from the rescue team in the last few days.With a warning board ‘Beware of Crocodiles’ hung up at the site in Nanakramguda, the crowd refuses to die even after eight days. With no rescue plan in sight, the 10 to 12 feet long reptile is surviving by altering its natural tendencies. It is usually known to become sluggish, if it does not sunbathe for long.However, the 10-year old crocodile has been affected by human disturbances.While a monitoring team is on constant vigil, locals come to catch a glimpse right in the morning and as the day progresses, there is a pack of onlookers.Reptiles are said to be extremely sensitive to vibrations and disturbances of any nature. It has also stopped sunbathing which is a must to maintain its body temperature.“It is mandatory for crocodiles to come out for sunbathing. However, with so much human disturbance around, the reptile must have been coming out of water at night. During the day, it might be remaining near the surface, which has higher temperature as compared to deeper levels,” pointed out veterinary assistant surgeon, Nehru Zoological Park, Dr P Srinivas.About 15-17 feet of water could be pumped out by 8 pumps at work. However, with fresh rainfall on Sunday, the water draining process is likely to suffer even further. “We hope to have a clear picture regarding rescue mission by Monday evening. Most likely it will be on Tuesday, as 60 percent of the work is done,” said divisional forest officer, A Shankaran.