Crocodile spotted roaming in residential area of Narayanganj

A crocodile has been spotted in a residential area in Tingao village of Bandar upazila in Narayanganj, causing concern among local residents. Several residents first spotted the animal on Saturday night. Officials from the Forest Department and the Department of Livestock Services visited the area on Sunday and confirmed the presence of the crocodile.

Locals said the crocodile was initially seen in one pond before moving to another nearby pond. A wildlife rescue team from Dhaka spent the day on Sunday attempting to catch it by setting nets in the pond but was unsuccessful. Another rescue attempt is scheduled for Monday.

Bandar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shibani Sarker said the crocodile was first spotted in the Tingao area on Saturday night. Officials from the relevant departments visited the site the following day and confirmed its presence. An announcement campaign has been conducted in the area to alert residents, while efforts are underway to rescue the animal.

A video circulating on social media also shows the crocodile moving around the residential area. Several people can be seen chasing it in the video.

Kamrul Islam, Bandar upazila forest officer, said Forest Department and livestock officials went to the area on Sunday and attempted to catch the crocodile. A wildlife rescue team from Dhaka later joined the effort, but the animal could not be captured.

Al Mahmud Hasan, Bandar upazila livestock officer, said the crocodile appeared to be a freshwater species.

“Such crocodiles are generally calm in nature, but there is no way to know when a wild animal may become aggressive. It is therefore safest to avoid going near it,” he said.

He said the pond where the crocodile is currently believed to be located is covered with water hyacinth, making the rescue difficult unless its exact location can be identified.

Al Mahmud Hasan said there are no rivers near Tingao and even the nearest river is quite far away. “So it is not clear to us how the crocodile came here. The matter is being investigated,” he said.

The administration has urged curious onlookers not to gather in the area to see the crocodile. Residents have been advised not to enter the pond or approach its banks and to keep children and livestock away from the area.

People have also been asked not to approach the crocodile to take photographs or videos and not to attempt to catch, chase or harm the animal if it is spotted.