Panic after crocodile sighted in Athikannu river in Nilgiris

UDHAGAMANDALAM: A crocodile was sighted in Athikannu river in Pandalur range of forests on Thursday. Local residents have been warned against venturing into the river, which is flowing through patta lands and estates.
A team of forest staff has been deputed to monitor the part of the river where the crocodile was sighted. The surrounding area has also been cordoned off to deny access to the public.District forest officer Omkaram Kommu had visited the area on Thursday.
On Friday, the crocodile was, however, not found in the part of the river where it was sighted the previous day.
Kalai Vendan, forest range officer, confirmed that they hadn’t sighted the crocodile in the river on Friday. “Since it is a carnivorous, we have alerted the local public.”
Pointing out that it was very rare to find crocodiles in the hill retreat, he said there were reports of sighting a crocodile in a stream in Bitherkad forest range in Gudalur division some five years ago.
According to Kalai Vendan, Athikannu river is a collection of perennial streams in Pandalur forest range. “The crocodile wouldn’t have come from atop the hills. It would have entered the river somewhere down the stream from Kerala border.”TNN