A 10-foot-long crocodile that had been spotted in the Ichamati River of Manikganj for nearly a month has finally been captured in a trap set by local residents. The reptile was caught around 8:30 p.m. on Friday in the Choukighata area of Hatipara Union under Manikganj Sadar upazila. On Saturday, the Forest Department decided to transfer the crocodile to Gazipur Safari Park after rescuing it from the site.
For weeks, the crocodile had been a source of fear for residents along the riverbanks. Locals from nearby villages had stopped bathing, fishing, and operating boats in the river, fearing attacks. Although the animal had not harmed any humans, villagers reported that it had eaten several ducks belonging to local farmers.
Md. Rafique, a resident of Charbongkhuri village, said, “We were afraid to go near the river. No one would fish in the morning or evening after hearing about the crocodile moving around. Even though it’s been caught now, people are still scared to enter the water.”
Rahima Khatun from Ailkandi village in Harirampur upazila said that the crocodile had eaten six of her ducks, as well as those belonging to many other villagers. “People are still frightened to go to the river,” she added.
When news of the crocodile’s capture spread on Saturday, hundreds of curious villagers from surrounding areas gathered at the site. Some recorded videos on their mobile phones, while others took selfies with the trapped reptile.
The team of young men who captured the crocodile—identified as Rahat, Antor, Rakib, Al Amin, Suruj, and Shahin—said they had been tracking the animal’s movements for several weeks. They spotted it again on Friday morning and later managed to catch it at around 8:30 p.m. by setting a rope trap across the water after two attempts.
Harirampur Upazila Forest Officer Shariful Islam confirmed that the crocodile had been sighted multiple times in the Dhulsura and Harukandi unions of Harirampur and in the Ichamati River under Hatipara Union of Sadar upazila. “The local youths captured the crocodile from Choukighata on Friday night, and a wildlife expert team from Dhaka retrieved it on Saturday,” he said.
Rathindra Nath Biswas, Wildlife and Biodiversity Officer of the Dhaka Forest Department, stated that the crocodile will undergo a health examination and necessary treatment before being released into Gazipur Safari Park.
