A crocodile at Bhitarkanika

Paradip, Nov. 9: Wildlife officials are worried over sustained man-animal conflicts around the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary.

People of Perijipur near the sanctuary allegedly hacked to death a six-foot estuarine crocodile, while rabid jackals and wild boar species have unleashed a reign of terror at Satabhaya and nearby areas injuring over a dozen of villagers.

Violence had erupted at the sanctuary-side Sasanapeta village on October 18 following the killing of a villager by wild boars. Irate residents had set ablaze the nearby Gahirmatha forest range office.

The forest officials today spotted the body of the slain crocodile near a water body at Perijipur village. The carcass bore multiple injury marks, said officer of the Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) forest division Kedar Kumar Swain.

“As estuarine crocodiles come under the scheduled and protected animal, a case under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, has been registered. The reptile’s body has been sent for post-mortem,” he said.

The crocodile had strayed into the village and reportedly devoured domestic animals. This had angered villagers, said official sources.

Also, 15 persons have been injured in attacks by jackals and wild boars at Satabhaya, Kanhupur, Barahipur and Brahmana Sahi villages.

While two villagers were injured in a boar attack at Barahipur, rabid jackals bit 12 at other villages.

The panic-stricken villagers feel that their safety has been jeopardised in the wake of frequent acts of trespassing by wild animals into the village areas. “We will be forced to kill these once-friendly jackals. Villagers are also not going to spare the wild boar. They are aware of the fact that killing of animals is an offence, but they are left with no option as the forest department is doing nothing,” said Rabindra Nayak, a resident of Barahipur village.

“The forest department is aware of animals’ intrusion into villages. Forest personnel have begun night watch and vigil at the areas, which are marked by straying of animals. Villagers have been advised to avoid going out at night. Besides, steel-net-barricade will be installed shortly on village borders,” said Swain.