Two marsh crocodiles found dead in Shivpuri

BHOPAL: Two marsh crocodiles - muggers - were found dead under mysterious circumstances in Shivpuri district on Saturday morning.

The carcasses were found near a pond in Singhnivas village, about 12km from the district headquarters. Waterbodies in Shivpuri are prime habitat for the marsh crocodile , classified as a 'vulnerable' species and protected by law.

"We have found two crocodiles - of 12 and 8 feet length - in the same area. The cause of death can be ascertained only after postmortem report and we are anxiously waiting for it," said Udhaybhan Manji, forest ranger of the area. Locals believe crocodiles were killed either by poison or live electric wire fishing traps.

Singhnivas is about 16km from Sakhya Sagar Lake and Madhav Sagar Lake, which are important biodiversity support systems of the mugger.

A recent census says there are 100 crocodiles in Sakhya Sagar Lake itself. Chambal River that flows through Madhav National Park is home to more than 500 crocodiles.

With human habitations so close to crocodile habitats, conflicts are inevitable. Muggers have often strayed into villages on the fringes of the national park, triggering panic. A full grown mugger is 8 to 11 feet in length and more than capable of tearing a human being to shreds, But attacks are very few and far between. In 2014, a fisherman was dragged away from banks of the river.