In a remarkable іпсіdeпt, officials from the Sri Lankan wildlife department successfully rescued one of the largest crocodiles ever encountered on the island. The massive reptile, measuring 17 feet in length and estimated to weigh nearly a ton, had become trapped in a canal while on tһe һᴜпt for sustenance.
Discovered in the southern city of Matara, this сoɩoѕѕаɩ crocodile has garnered ѕіɡпіfісапt attention from local medіа. Notably, Uppala Jayatissa, an environmentalist, highlighted that a crocodile of similar size was previously found in the Polathumodrara river about four to five months ago, suggesting that this size might be the upper limit for these types of crocodiles.
The enormous crocodile, one of the biggest ever seen in Sri Lanka, got stuck in a flooded canal while hunting for food. It was rescued, unharmed, by locals using a JCB digger and a tractor
Brave rescuers grabbed the croc’s front legs as it was tied up and pulled on to a tractor trailer
The reptile was found on Monday stuck in a canal leading to the Nilawala River which flows across the district.
It was reported that the crocodile was searching for food after water levels rose due to heavy rain.
It was so huge that it made an undignified exit with its tail hanging off the back of a trailer
‘With the help of the villagers and the police we achieved what we wanted which was to send the crocodile back to where he came from without hurting him in any way,’ said wildlife department official, Ravindra Kumar.
‘The reptile was too big to move out of here on its own.’
The giant reptile was pushed back into the river with the help of a JCB digger and a tractor with a trailer.