Crocodile rescued safely from Powai NITIE area after social media alert
A crocodile spotted near the Powai NITIE area in Mumbai was successfully captured and rescued by authorities after a video of the reptile surfaced on social media. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and local wildlife and forest officials coordinated the operation to ensure the animal was safely removed. No injuries or untoward incidents were reported to residents or the reptile during the rescue.
The incident first came to light when an X user uploaded a video showing the crocodile near the Powai NITIE area. The social media post was captioned, "Crocodile Spotted at Powai Nitie Area ! @IndiaWeatherMan @mybmc @powaiinfo @tv @MahaForest."
As the video clip rapidly gained traction online, it drew the attention of local officials. The BMC responded promptly to the online post, requesting precise location details to help rescue teams reach the spot without delay.
Replying directly to the social media post, the civic body wrote, "Kindly share the exact location so we can assist you more effectively." This response reflected the close coordination between civic authorities and wildlife officials to verify the reptile's location and carry out the rescue operation safely.
Following the coordination, officials successfully secured the crocodile. The individual who originally shared the video later posted an update confirming that the rescue had been completed. The follow-up message read, "Crocodile Spotted at Powai Nitie Rescued Safely by The Concern Authority."
There were no reports of harm to local residents or the animal during the process.
Wildlife experts note that crocodile sightings are not uncommon around Powai Lake and nearby water bodies. During the monsoon season, rising water levels and flooded channels can cause reptiles to move beyond their usual habitats in search of suitable shelter or access to connected waterways.
The marsh crocodile, also known as the mugger crocodile, is native to many freshwater ecosystems across India. It is known to inhabit lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and wetlands. While these reptiles generally avoid human interaction, accidental encounters can occur when their natural habitats overlap with urban areas.
