Volunteers Find 11-Foot Crocodile Dead In Vadodara’s Vishwamitri River, Ninth Such Case In Seven Months

Vadodara: An 11-foot-long female crocodile was found dead in the Vishwamitri river near the Govindnagar area of Vadodara on Saturday, raising fresh concerns about the spate of crocodile deaths in the region. The discovery marks the ninth recorded fatality of a crocodile in the river over the past seven months.

The carcass was located by volunteers associated with the Vishwamitri river conservation project. After noticing that the crocodile had remained unmoving for an extended period, they contacted wildlife rescuers to investigate.

Forest department officials responded to the alert and examined the crocodile on site. They confirmed the animal was dead and transported the body for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. While initial findings suggest a “natural death,” officials are awaiting the autopsy results for confirmation.

Range forest officer Karansinh Rajput stated that the deceased crocodile was estimated to be between nine and ten years old and measured about 11 feet in length. “Prima facie, it appears to have died of natural causes, but we are awaiting the detailed autopsy report,” he said.

The increasing number of crocodile fatalities in the Vishwamitri river has alarmed environmentalists and researchers. Noted herpetologist Raju Vyas addressed the issue in a 2023 research paper, pointing to the unexplained nature of these deaths, despite a healthy and growing crocodile population in the river.

Speaking on previous incidents, Rajput noted that recent crocodile deaths in the past three months have also been attributed to “natural reasons.” He explained, “The crocodiles have a lifespan of 30 to 70 years… However, natural causes that affect humans can also affect younger crocodiles and lead to mortality. It is not unusual…”

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