Crocodile alert! City's residents turn rescuers amid monsoon surge
Dhanavade isn't a trained wildlife rescuer, but like many Barodians, he has taken a crash course in crocodile handling.
With reptiles from Vishwamitri River, bisecting the city, emerging frequently during monsoon - sometimes in the most unexpected places like kitchens and parkings - an increasing number of Barodians are coming forward to handle the situation on their own.
"Last year, dozens of crocodiles were spotted near our colony at night.
Rescue teams can't always reach in time, so I decided to get basic training," said 25-year-old Dhanavade.
Crocodile rescues are often overstretched as they are flooded with calls due to crocodiles crawling out in public places. So, many residential societies, especially those in the low-lying areas in the vicinity of the river, have been undergoing informal training in handling the reptiles.
Wildlife activist Hemant Vadhwana, who regularly conducts training sessions , said increasing number of people are now requesting lessons.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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"We educate people on crocodile behaviour and safety. But our primary advice is not to attempt rescue in abscence of experts," Vadhwana told TOI.
In just three months of the last monsoon season, nearly 100 crocodiles were rescued from across Vadodara, with some found far from the river—like a baby crocodile that entered a kitchen in Karelibaug and another spotted under a parked car in Bil.
Arvind Pawar of Wildlife Rescue Trust (WRT) said crocodile sightings have surged even in densely populated areas.
"That's why we conduct awareness training and demonstrations. These sessions help people stay calm and make rescue efforts easier. This also gives us more time to reach the spot."
The forest department has also stepped in, launching awareness campaigns and putting up warning signboards in vulnerable zones.
"Despite being large and seemingly slow, crocodiles can strike with alarming speed and cause serious injuries," said animal activist Neha Patel.
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