Crocodile relocated from Khan Jahan Ali shrine pond after child's death

Local administration today (3 June) relocated the lone crocodile from the historic pond of Khan Jahan Ali's shrine in Bagerhat to a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Khulna following the death of an eight-year-old girl in an attack by the crocodile.

The decision was taken at an emergency meeting convened by the district administration last night (2 June) to review safety measures at the shrine and its surrounding areas.

A specialised team from the Forest Department removed the female crocodile from the pond this afternoon and transported it to the Khulna Wildlife Breeding and Rehabilitation Centre, officials said.

According to the Forest Department, the crocodile is about 45 years old, weighs around 600 kilograms and measures 9 feet 3 inches in length.

Deputy Commissioner Golam Mohammad Baten said the crocodile was the last one remaining in the pond and was removed considering public safety following the fatal attack.

"At the emergency meeting, we discussed public safety and decided to relocate the animal to prevent any recurrence of such incidents," he said.

He added that the crocodile could be returned to the pond in the future if a secure enclosure is constructed based on expert recommendations.

Earlier on Monday, Fatema Akter was attacked while bathing at the women's ghat of the pond

Local residents later recovered her body from the pond yesterday.

Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, divisional forest officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Division, said the crocodile was taken from the eastern bank of the pond and shifted to the rehabilitation centre in Khulna in line with the district administration's decision.

"The crocodile is healthy and will remain at the rehabilitation centre until a suitable protected facility is established at the shrine pond. Subject to expert opinion, it may be brought back in the future," he said.

The pond at the Khan Jahan Ali shrine, believed to be nearly 600 years old, has long been a major attraction for visitors from home and abroad.

For decades, pilgrims and tourists visiting the shrine have regarded the crocodiles as part of the site's cultural and religious heritage.

Many visitors traditionally offered food including ducks and chickens to the reptiles after making vows at the shrine.

According to Forest Department sources, two crocodiles had lived in the pond since 2005. The male crocodile died in October 2023.

The crocodiles were among a group of freshwater crocodiles gifted to Bangladesh by the Indian government in 2005 to support conservation and breeding efforts.

Six of them were released into the Khan Jahan Ali shrine pond, while others were sent to Dhaka Zoo and Dulahazra Safari Park.