Finally,crocodile expert on the way

“For the crocodile to be trapped,it is necessary to ascertain if it is still there or not. We have decided to first conduct a check and then proceed further,” Mane said.

The spotting of a crocodile by a group of visitors in the lake had caused a scare among the general public,and the MTDC boating service was immediately suspended,leading to losses to the corporation. The authorities of PMC’s Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park had earlier contacted the same organisation to trap the crocodile,but it had then informed its inability to carry out the task.

The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust was founded in 1976 by herpetologist Romulus Whitaker. Besides crocodiles,the bank also maintains 12 endangered species of turtles and tortoises and five species of snakes,including the king cobra.

Chandan Suratwala of All-India Anti-Corruption Committee (AIACC),who had demanded that the MTDC boat services should not be resumed unless the crocodile is caught,said,“At last,the PMC has woken up. If this happens,the citizens of Pune can once again enjoy the boating facility and the MTDC will not have to suffer losses as well.”

The officials of the Crocodile Bank could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.