According to officials, workers engaged in cleaning the water tank noticed several small crocodiles inside the structure and immediately informed the Mumbai Forest Department. A rescue team from the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW) was subsequently deployed to assist in the operation.
The coordinated rescue operation continued for approximately 90 minutes under the supervision of forest department personnel and trained wildlife rescuers. All 11 baby crocodiles were safely extracted from the water tank without injury and were shifted for medical examination. Authorities confirmed that the reptiles will be released back into their natural habitat after completing the required health assessments.
Forest officials also revealed that this was not an isolated incident. Last week, two baby crocodiles were rescued from another location in the same region, indicating continued wildlife movement around the area's water bodies.
Crocodiles are known to inhabit several water bodies across Mumbai's suburban lake network, including Vihar Lake, and are occasionally sighted in the Mithi River. The repeated sightings underscore the ecological importance of these habitats and the need for heightened vigilance during maintenance activities near natural water sources.
The rescue operation was carried out under the supervision of Deputy Conservator of Forests (Thane Territorial) Sachin Repal, Range Forest Officer (Mumbai) Santosh Dagle, and Range Officer (Mulund) Rama Bhangre. Wildlife experts who participated in the operation included Chinmay Joshi, Zoologist and Secretary of RAWW, Aman Singh from the RAWW rescue team, and local wildlife rescuer Hasmukh Valanju.
The successful rescue of all 11 baby crocodiles reflects the coordinated efforts of forest authorities and wildlife experts in protecting urban biodiversity while ensuring the safe conservation of wildlife inhabiting Mumbai's ecologically significant lake system.
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