Last Crocodile Removed from Khan Jahan Ali Shrine Pond in Bagerhat

The last remaining crocodile living in the historic pond adjacent to the shrine of Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali (RA) in Bagerhat has been removed and relocated in the interest of public safety.

The female crocodile was captured on Wednesday afternoon by wildlife specialists from the Forest Department with assistance from local residents and the district administration. Following the rescue operation, the animal was transported to the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Khulna for further observation and care.

Officials from the Forest Department and local administration had been stationed around the shrine area since the morning. The crocodile was spotted near the eastern bank of the pond around 11:00 a.m., after which the rescue team initiated the capture operation.

According to officials, the reptile was lured with food and safely restrained around noon. After securing its eyes and limbs, the team loaded the crocodile onto a transport vehicle and sent it to Khulna under special supervision.

The decision to remove the crocodile came days after a tragic incident in which a child died following a crocodile attack while bathing in the pond on Monday. Local residents reported that there had been several previous incidents involving the same crocodile.

Following the fatal attack, an emergency meeting was held at the Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner’s office on Tuesday night, where authorities decided to relocate the animal to ensure public safety.

Local resident Kulsum Beham welcomed the decision, saying that many people had become afraid to approach the pond because of the crocodile’s aggressive behavior.

“We were scared of this crocodile. People avoided entering the pond because of it. The crocodiles that lived here in the past were much calmer,” she said.

Visitor Arif Sheikh, who came to the shrine, expressed mixed feelings about the relocation.

“The pond and its crocodiles have long been one of the main attractions of the Khan Jahan Ali shrine. With the removal of this crocodile, it feels like a part of that heritage has disappeared,” he said.

Crocodile specialist Azad Kabir said the rescued female crocodile weighs approximately 600 kilograms.

“We successfully rescued the crocodile without causing harm to it. It will now remain at the Khulna Rescue Center, where health assessments and further examinations will be conducted. A decision regarding its future habitat will be taken after the evaluation process is completed,” he said.

Bagerhat Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mosammat Atiya Khatun said the relocation was carried out solely to protect public safety.

“The crocodile has been transferred to the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Khulna. Further decisions regarding the animal will be made after consultations with the relevant authorities,” she said.

For centuries, the crocodiles of the Khan Jahan Ali shrine pond have been regarded as an important cultural and historical symbol of Bagerhat, attracting thousands of visitors every year. However, recent safety concerns prompted authorities to take the unprecedented step of relocating the pond’s last remaining crocodile.