Massive Crocodile Rescue Operation at Bullet Train Construction Site
For the second time within a month, wildlife officials conducted a dramatic rescue operation to save a massive crocodile from the construction site of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor near Vadodara. The rescue took place on Monday at Maretha village, where a 9.5-foot long crocodile had become trapped in challenging circumstances.
The Challenging Rescue Operation
Wildlife activist Hemant Vadhwana received an urgent call about the reptile's predicament. The crocodile had fallen into a 30-foot deep pit of an under-construction pillar at the MAHSR corridor site. When Vadhwana and forest department officials arrived at the location, they faced a significant challenge.
The massive reptile weighed approximately 150 kilograms, making conventional rescue methods impossible. The situation was further complicated by recent heavy rainfall that had filled the deep trench with silt, creating additional obstacles for the rescue team.
Engineering Solution for Wildlife Emergency
Faced with this difficult scenario, the rescue team devised an innovative solution. We realized that the only way out was to lift it with the help of a hydraulic crane, Vadhwana explained to The Indian Express. The strategic location of the construction site along the Vishwamitri river has made it a common area for crocodiles to wander into.
The rescue operation required approximately two hours of intense effort before the team successfully secured the crocodile and lifted it to safety using the crane. The successful operation demonstrated effective coordination between wildlife activists and construction authorities.
Following the rescue, the healthy crocodile was immediately handed over to the forest department for proper care and eventual release into a suitable habitat. This incident marks the second such rescue from the bullet train project site in a relatively short period, highlighting the ongoing challenges of balancing infrastructure development with wildlife conservation.
