NEW IND PRESS (India) 18 December 06 Seven footer croc rescued from farm well
Krishnarayapuram: A seven feet crocodile that had accidentally strayed into the fields and taken shelter in a farm well near Karur, was rescued by members of the public and handed over to Forest Department officials.
According to sources, an agricultural farm is owned by farmer Mahadevan on Old Mangamma Salai close to Keezhachinthalavadi Government Hospital near Lalapet. The Irattai Canal that branches off from the Cauvery, flows by the fields. At present, the canal is flowing to its capacity.
The crocodile is said to have been carried by the currents of the Cauvery that brought it to the Irattai Canal. The crocodile had perhaps strayed into the fields from the canal on Friday night but had an accidental fall into the farm well, it was assumed.
On Saturday morning, Mahadevan’s father Rathinachalam sighted the crocodile in the well when he visited the farm.
Meanwhile, the fire brigade at Karur and Musiri were informed about the crocodile. But the fire brigade officials are said to have directed the authorities to contact the Forest Department officials.
Accordingly, a team of Forest Rangers led by District Forest Officer Nagarajan rushed to the rescue of the creature. The water level in the well was 12 ft and as such, it became imminent to pump out the water. But power shutdown prevented them from taking swift action. The pumping work was taken up late in the evening and completed.
But Fire and Rescue Services personnel did not turn up even on Sunday morning, though forest employees were guarding the area throughout the night. Getting impatient, a few members of the public made a bold attempt by getting down into the well to lift the crocodile, binding it with ropes. Once lifted, it was handed over to the Forest Department officials.
The crocodile was placed under the custody of the Forest Department officials who provided first aid to it at the Kulithalai veterinary dispensary and later let it into the Kallanai.

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