2 min readVadodaraMar 5, 2026 04:58 PM ISTOne of the crocodiles which strayed into urban areas in Vadodara.While Vadodara is accustomed to crocodiles roaming its streets during the monsoon, two large reptiles surprised residents by venturing into urban areas on a clear Wednesday night. The dual sightings, in the heart of the city and on its outskirts, sparked a mix of panic and curiosity before wildlife teams successfully rescued them,Two crocodiles—one measuring six feet and the other ten feet—were rescued from Urmi Bridge and Jambuva, respectively. Both crocodiles had ventured out of the water late at night, causing a commotion in their respective areas. Volunteers from the rescue teams arrived and safely transported the crocodiles to the social forestry department, where they were released back into the rivers they inhabit.A six-foot crocodile was spotted wandering across the Urmi Bridge in the Sama area of the city late Wednesday night, amidst heavy traffic and a few pedestrians. Local residents alerted forest officials and volunteer teams, who quickly arrived to rescue the crocodile as a crowd gathered to watch. Forest officials explained that the crocodile had strayed onto the main road from the nearby Vishwamitri River.A ten-foot-long crocodile was rescued from Gokul Duplex near the Jambuva Bridge, located on the outskirts of Vadodara city. The crocodile had wandered into a residential area from the nearby Dhadhar River. According to residents, a child from the neighbourhood first spotted the crocodile and informed his mother, who then raised the alarm. This prompted residents to call the forest department, which sent officials who successfully rescued the crocodile.Karansinh Rajput, the range forest officer of Vadodara, told The Indian Express that crocodiles frequently leave the rivers to bask in the warmth during seasonal changes.Rajput said, “It is common for crocodiles to venture out during this season as we shift from winter to summer. They often stray into the residential areas that are close to the rivers.”“In both cases, the crocodiles had come out from the rivers close by. They were rescued and released into their respective habitats: the one from Urmi Bridge into the Vishwamitri and the one from Jambuva into the Dhadhar River,” added RajputAditi Raja is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, stationed in Vadodara, Gujarat, with over 20 years in the field. She has been reporting from the region of Central Gujarat and Narmada district for this newspaper since 2013, which establishes her as a highly Authoritative and Trustworthy source on regional politics, administration, and critical socio-economic and environmental issues. Expertise: Core Authority & Specialization: Her reporting is characterized by a comprehensive grasp of the complex factors shaping Central Gujarat, which comprises a vast tribal population, including: Politics and Administration: In-depth analysis of dynamics within factions of political parties and how it affects the affairs in the region, visits of national leaders making prominent statements, and government policy decisions impacting the population on ground. Crucial Regional Projects: She consistently reports on the socio-economic and political impact of infrastructure projects in the region, especially the Statue of Unity, the Sardar Sarovar Project on the Narmada River, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail bullet train project as well as the National Highway infrastructure. Social Justice and Human Rights: Her reporting offers deep coverage of sensitive human-interest topics, including gender, crime, and tribal issues. Her reports cover legal proceedings from various district courts as well as the Gujarat High Court (e.g., the Bilkis Bano case remission, POCSO court orders, Public Interest Litigations), the plight of tribal communities, and broader social conflicts (e.g., Kheda flogging case). Local Impact & Disaster Reporting: Excels in documenting the immediate impact of events on communities, such as the political and civic fallout of the Vadodara floods, the subsequent public anger, and the long-delayed river redevelopment projects, Harni Boat Tragedy, Air India crash, bringing out a blend of stories from the investigations as well as human emotions. Special Interest Beat: She tracks incidents concerning Non-Resident Gujaratis (NRIs) including crime and legal battles abroad, issues of illegal immigration and deportations, as well as social events connecting the local Gujarati experience to the global diaspora. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:crocodileVadodara