Princh Mondal Olif, Bagerhat District Correspondent:

The only remaining female crocodile living in the historic pond beside the shrine of Khan Jahan Ali (RA) in Bagerhat has been removed by the authorities. The operation took place on Wednesday (June 3), when wildlife experts from the Forest Department, with support from local residents, captured the crocodile from a small water body near the eastern side of the pond.

After being safely restrained, the crocodile was loaded onto a Forest Department vehicle and transported to the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Khulna, according to local administration officials.

Officials from the Forest Department, administration, and law enforcement agencies arrived at the shrine area early in the morning. The crocodile was spotted around 10:30 a.m., and a rescue operation was immediately launched. After several attempts, rescuers successfully secured the animal around noon by using food as bait.

The operation attracted thousands of curious onlookers who gathered around the shrine area to witness the historic moment. However, police maintained strict security and prevented people from approaching the crocodile closely.

The decision to relocate the crocodile came after a tragic incident three days earlier, when a child lost her life following a crocodile attack. In response, an emergency meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference room on June 2 approved the removal of the animal for public safety reasons.

Local residents expressed relief after the crocodile was taken away. Many people were seen using the shrine’s main bathing ghat without fear for the first time in a long period.

Bagerhat Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mosa. Atiya Khatun said that the relocation was necessary to ensure public safety. She added that the crocodile would remain at the Khulna Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center until authorities determine its future.

Several senior officials attended the rescue operation, including Khulna Conservator of Forests Imran Ahmed, Sundarbans East Forest Division DFO Md. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Division DFO Nirmal Kumar Pal, Additional Superintendent of Police Md. Abu Russell, UNO Mosa. Atiya Khatun, and Officer-in-Charge of Bagerhat Model Police Station Md. Shamsul Arefin.

Historical records suggest that the pond was excavated approximately 650 years ago by Khan Jahan Ali (RA) to provide freshwater for local residents. Crocodiles were later introduced to protect and preserve the pond. The original male and female crocodiles became known as “Kala Pahar” and “Dhala Pahar,” names that continued through successive generations.

Over the years, the crocodile population declined due to breeding problems, injuries caused by fishing nets, and other environmental factors. The last descendant of the original lineage died in 2015. To maintain the tradition, several crocodiles were brought from India in 2005, although many of them later died. After the death of another crocodile in October 2023, the female crocodile removed on Wednesday remained the sole survivor.

Many local residents believe the relocation marks the end of a crocodile tradition that has existed at the shrine pond for more than six centuries. However, authorities say crocodiles may be reintroduced in the future if a suitable and secure environment can be ensured.

Caretakers of the shrine claim that the original crocodiles were generally calm and rarely attacked humans. However, the later-introduced crocodiles were considered more aggressive. The most recent fatal attack involved a young girl named Fatema Akter. Previous incidents included attacks on an elderly man in 2024, a teenager in 2020, and a dog earlier this year, all of which renewed concerns about public safety around the pond.