12-ft long crocodile strays into Hayatnagar residential area, rescued

Telangana Forest department officials rescued a crocodile that had wandered into a residential area in Hayatnagar district in the early hours of Friday (October 10, 2025).

Sharing the details, Hayatnagar Forest Officer Sai Prakash said that around 2.30 am, calls were received from residents of Taramathipet area that the crocodile had been spotted. Since it was still dark, forest officials came to the scene and kept the area under observation until the morning when they started the rescue operation.

“We sought support from Nehru Zoological Park and our anti-poaching team to catch the reptile. They caught it using nets,” said Mr. Sai Prakash.

The crocodile was a healthy male, 12 ft long and weighing 120-130 kilograms. Authorities are unsure about his home, but speculate he must have emerged from a nearby canal that connects to the Musi River.

“It must have entered the drain when the Musi swelled during the last flood. Apart from this, there is no reasonable explanation,” said Mr. Sai Prakash. The Musi waters are home to many crocodiles, which are often seen perched on rocks by local residents. The rescued reptile was transported to Nehru Zoological Park where it will be kept under observation.