Heatstroke takes a toll on crocodiles too, 7 dead so far in North Karnataka
- North Karnataka is reeling under severe drought for the fourth consecutive year
- Majority of the reservoirs have reached dead storage level
- The situation has become difficult not just for people but for animals too
FollowFarmers of Sonna village in Bagalkot, recently, shot to fame for their kind gesture in rescuing a crocodile from a dried up tank. They later handed it over to the forest department to be released it into the Almatti reservoir. In another incident, a huge crocodile (14ft in length and weighing 365 kg) was found dead at Giragav village in Bilagi near Bagalkot that had strayed out of dried up river bed, in search of water. These incidents bring forth the plight of aquatic reptiles that are dying due to dried up tanks.
The depleting water levels at reservoirs in North Karnataka has not only affected the people but animals too.
At least seven crocodiles have died so far and wildlife experts claim that severe heatstroke has claimed these aquatic reptiles, reports Kannada Prabha. Crocodile deaths have been reported from Galagali, Girisagar, Gudadinni and Bannidinni near the Krishna river bank. The crocodiles found here are of mugger variety.
Crocodiles stay in water to keep their bodies warm. But this year, the simmering heat is taking a toll on their bodies, says a wildlife expert.
For the four consecutive years, various districts in North Karnataka are reeling under severe drought. Water levels Krishna, Ghataprabha and Malaprabha has reached dead storage level putting these aquatic animals and birds in danger. With no food available, birds are migrating to neighbouring districts, while crocodiles are venturing into fields for lack of food. These days, people are scared to venture into their sugarcane fields fearing attack by the crocodiles, reports Kannada Prabha. There have been couple of incidents where crocodiles have attacked farmers in Bagalkot and Vijayapura districts. It's not just heat, the crocodiles are dying to due to suffocation in marshy areas.
Crocodiles need to keep their body cold hence, they need to stay in water. But with depleting water at major reservoirs in North Karnataka this year, the number of crocodiles' deaths is on the rise.Â
