Bagerhat Authorities Remove Historic Shrine Crocodile Following Fatal Attack

Photo Collected

A+ A A-

The removal of the lone crocodile from the historic pond at the shrine of Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali (RA) in Bagerhat has ignited a debate between tradition and public safety following the fatal mauling of a child three days ago. Forest department officials, acting with administrative support, relocated the reptile on Wednesday to the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center in Khulna, where it remains under observation.

Fakir Tarikul Islam, the chief caretaker of the shrine, expressed sharp disapproval of the removal, describing the crocodile as a historical asset integral to the site’s 550-year heritage. Questioning the necessity of the move, Islam argued that a single tragic accident should not result in the permanent removal of a creature that attracts visitors from across the country. He maintained that the incident was an unfortunate event rather than a systemic failure and called for the authorities to return the animal, suggesting that improved security measures and fencing could mitigate future risks.

Conversely, many visitors have voiced support for the relocation, prioritizing the safety of the public over the preservation of the shrine’s tradition. While some tourists acknowledged the cultural significance of the pond’s residents, they argued that the presence of a predator poses an unacceptable risk to families and children, suggesting that the site should only house the animal if it can be securely contained within a proper enclosure.

Fate of Croc Removed from Bagerhat Shrine Pond Remains Undecided Amid Relocation Delays

Read More

The biological significance of these crocodiles is substantial; the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declared freshwater crocodiles extinct in Bangladesh in 2000, making the specimens once housed in the shrine’s pond particularly rare. Hawladar Azad Kabir, the acting officer at the Karamjal Wildlife Breeding Center in the Sundarbans, suggested that if the administration enforced stricter oversight and prevented human interference, the shrine’s extensive pond area could potentially serve as a viable breeding and conservation site for the species.

Currently, the relocated crocodile is reported to be in stable health. Nirmal Kumar Pal, the divisional forest officer for the wildlife management and nature conservation division in Khulna, noted that the animal cannot be released into the saltwater environment of the Sundarbans, as it would not survive. He stated that the final decision regarding the animal’s future habitat rests with higher authorities. Bagerhat Sadar Upazila Executive Officer Mosammat Atia Khatun confirmed that officials are still determining the long-term plan for the reptile.