The khadems (caretakers) of Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali shrine in Bagerhat have protested the removal of the pond’s sole crocodile and demanded its immediate return.
“Accidents can happen anywhere, but removing the crocodile is not justified,” Fakir Tarikul Islam, the chief khadem of the shrine, told reporters today.
“Yes, we might have our shortcomings. But this crocodile is an asset to the people of Bagerhat. Removing it was not the right decision,” he said.
The forest department, assisted by the local administration, removed the freshwater crocodile on yesterday afternoon, three days after a child was killed in an attack by the crocodile.
The reptile is currently being kept at the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Khulna.
A section of visitors, however, welcomed the move to remove the crocodile but said it could be returned if proper safety measures are ensured.
Abul Hussain Khan, a visitor from Kachua upazila in Bagerhat, said such a death is not acceptable.
“I came here with my grandchildren. If such an accident happened to my family, what would we do? Removing it for now is fine, but they should set up proper fencing before the bringing the crocodile back to the pond,” he said.
The crocodile is currently healthy and behaving normally at the Khulna facility, said Nirmal Kumar Pal, divisional forest officer of the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Division in Khulna.
Bagerhat Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Atia Khatun said a decision regarding the crocodile’s future would be disclosed once it is finalised.
