Kendrapara (Odisha), Jun 29 (PTI) A six-feet-long female saltwater crocodile which had strayed into a pond in a village in close proximity to Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha's Kendrapara district was rescued and released to the wild on Sunday, an official said.

The reptile had been roaming in Endalapur village for more than two weeks. The locals informed the forest officials, who later rescued it from the pond.

Also Read | 8th Pay Commission Update: Central Government Employees to Get 34% Salary Hike From January 2026? Check Details.

"The forest officials managed to net and rope it after a two-hour-long exercise. Later it was released in the wild. The reptile did not cause any harm either to humans or domesticated animals," said Chittaranjan Beura, the forest range officer of the park.

Crocodiles stray in search of food in village areas. They often leave the place for their original habitat within a few days as per their natural instinct, he said.

Also Read | Hindi 'Imposition' Row: Maharashtra Govt Scraps GRs on Hindi As Optional Language; Appoints Committee for Report on 'Trilingual Formula'.

The Bhitarkanika National Park has 1,826 salt-water crocodiles.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)