Due to its unattractive appearance and formidable body, people often feel troubled around crocodiles and tend to keep their distance. But they are not as dangerous as they look!

There is no official study of the total population of crocodiles in Sindh. Their presence is quite noticeable in certain areas, including DeH Akro (Hub Dam) and Nara Canal (Sukkur).

On February 28 in a remote area of ​​Sanghar -District, a local resident, Ajmal Das, discovered a suspicious object in a water channel. When he thought it was a fish, he tried to catch it. To his surprise, it turned out to be the body of an ant crocodile who, according to his statement, had already begun to break down and emitted a bad smell.

He reported the discovery to local officials from Sindh Wildlife Department (SWD) who immediately arrived at the stage and took over the body.

“It was already dead when we reached the place,” said Asad Marri, District’s SWD official while we talked to Express Pakinomist. “After a thorough investigation, it was immediately buried, which degradation had already settled in,” he added.

According to officials, the area is not a natural habitat for crocodiles, although occasionally spotted in water channels. There have been no reports of crocodile attacks in the region.

“No one has confirmed to see living crocodiles in the same area where this body was found,” Marri said.

Interestingly, about two weeks earlier, Marri and his team had discovered another crocodile carcass approx. 30 kilometers from the current place. He suspected it might be the same body. “The stream of water was too strong for us to pick it up at that time,” he explained.

According to the information from the wildlife experts, there are about 26 species of crocodiles around the world, but in Pakistan the ant crocodile is the most common, especially in Sindh and Balochistan.

The body of the Marsh crocodile is not considered valuable in the leather industry, as opposed to Nile and Saltwater Crocodiles, which is appreciated for their durable and high quality leather.

The Marsh crocodile is known to be relatively inactive and is classified as a baked assassin. It can survive for up to six months without food. “It does not attack people. It’s a ‘Darish’ [a harmless being]”Commented SWDS Provincial Head, Javed Ahmed Mahar.” It has gained an undeserved reputation because of its unattractive appearance, but it is not as dangerous as people think. “

“It’s not an active hunter and prefers stagnant waters, such as backwaters instead of floating rivers,” he added.

Crocodiles are considered skewers and are often seen as basking near water areas.

“There is no demand for crocodile meat in Pakistan,” Mahar said in response to a question of whether its meat is sold in markets. “Most people lack accurate knowledge of wildlife and often do not spread -verified information.” According to section 21 of Sindh Wildlife Protection, Conservation, Conservation and Management Act 2020, crocodiles are a protected species.

Many animals are considered ’employees’ in the ecosystem, such as crocodiles and indus blind dolphins. According to Mahar, crocodiles do not offer these dolphins. “Dolphins occupy liquid water, while crocodiles lack energy to chase them,” he explained.