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Crocodile 'killed' near Vihar Lake, animal lover tells SGNP

Less than a month after the bodies of 10 monkeys, who were poisoned to death, were found in a core area of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), a dead adult crocodile with a swollen belly was found near Vihar Lake in Powai. The area falls under the jurisdiction of the BMC.

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Less than a month after the bodies of 10 monkeys, who were poisoned to death, were found in a core area of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), a dead adult crocodile with a swollen belly was found near Vihar Lake in Powai. The area falls under the jurisdiction of the BMC.

Sachin Roy, who regularly goes for morning walks in the park, has sent a letter to SGNP authorities, the chief conservator of forest and the commissioner of police, in which he has expressed his suspicion that the reptile was intentionally killed. “I was walking in the area, when I met a group of people who informed me that the crocodile was already dead when locals found it, but some people threw stones at the body later to make it look like it was stoned to death,” said Roy, who is a real estate broker from Magathane, Borivli. The reptile's body was found on February 11.

“This is definitely not a natural death. And why were stones pelted at the crocodile? I am an animal lover, and I want to bring this to light,” said Roy.

The abdomen of the dead crocodile or mugger was severely swollen, and the snout showed signs of injury. No remains of prey or any other objects were found near the body.

Roy's letter also states that the half-eaten bodies of another ten monkeys had been found on banks of the Tulsi Lake again on February 7. It is unclear whether more monkeys had been killed or these were among those who were found by trekkers, which dna had reported on February 8. While post-mortem reports had confirmed that the monkeys found dead earlier were poisoned, forensic reports confirming the type of poison used are awaited.

When dna spoke to Vikas Gupta, chief conservator of forest and SGNP director, confirmed the incident. “The body was taken for post-mortem by an SGNP team. I myself visited the spot. The crocodile was found in the southern portion of the banks of Vihar, which falls under the BMC. It seemed like a natural death, but the actual cause of death will only be determined by the post-mortem report,” he said.

Crocodiles fall under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, along with highly protected animals such as the elephant and the tiger. If a wild animal is killed, the offence comes under the section of 'hunting'. Anyone who hunts a wild animal shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 3 years or with fine which may extend to Rs 25,000/- or with both. However, if someone commits the offence in a sanctuary or national park, with respect any animal specified in Schedule 1, that person shall be punishable with imprisonment which shall not be less than 1 year but may extend to 6 years and also with fine which shall not be less than 5,000/-.

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