Andhra Pradesh: Villagers drag, beat crocodile washed ashore by Tungabhadra sinking

Villagers hold a tied crocodile down on the sand near Naguladinne in Kurnool district. It was pulled out of the receding Tungabhadra and defeated, said DFO P. Shyamala. Viral video screengrab | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Villagers near Meliganur, Nagaladinne, in Nandavaram mandal, pulled out a thieving crocodile from the shrinking Tungabhadra, beat it with sticks and tied it with a rope a few days ago. The forest department has since warned people along the river to leave the animals alone. As the water level drops, more of them flow out.

Kurnool District Forest Officer P. Shyamala said light rainfall had reduced the Tungabhadra river and a crocodile was spotted near Naguladinne a few days ago. A video that went viral on social media shows some villagers trying to pull the crocodile out of the water and beating it with sticks, she said.

DFO asked people to remain alert, for their own safety and that of the animals. Crocodiles are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, she said, and must not be harmed in any way. Don’t pull them out of the water, hit them with sticks, throw rocks, chase them or otherwise harass them, she said.

“Harming crocodiles is an offense under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and carries a seven-year jail term,” she said.

People should not approach the animal, try to grab it or pull it out or drive it away, the DFO said. They should call the forest officials immediately. Kurnool Range Forest Officer is available on 8332959889, Adoni Range Forest Office 9703554453, Deputy Head Rangers Kurnool on 9985301257 and Adoni Section Forest Officer on 7989142039.

Under #HANUMAN Taking an initiative, the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department quickly rescued Mugger the crocodile, which was stranded in a shallow stretch of the Tungabhadra river due to the receding water level. After a veterinary examination, he was safely released back into the river in… pic.twitter.com/Q6wgq3Jhox

— HANUMAN (@HANUMAN_APGOV) September 2, 2026

The Wildlife Monitoring, Relief and Nursing (HANUMAN) treatment and nursing units of the state forest department recently rescued a crocodile thief that got stuck in a shallow stretch of the Tungabhadra by falling water. Veterinarians examined her and released her back into the river, where the flow was sufficient.

Published – 04 Sep 2026 15:39 IST