Indian officials rescued and released a ten-foot crocodile from a canal in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Footage filmed on February 28, shows the huge crocodile restrained on a stretcher and later released into the Kollidam River by forest department officials.

A 10-foot long crocodile, which has triggered panic along the banks of Uyyakondan canal for a few days, was finally captured by the fire and rescue department officials here on Saturday. The scaly reptile was later released into the Kollidam river at Grand Anaicut.
The crocodile reportedly crawled to the banks of the canal near the shrubs at Thirumalai Kallangadu, near Kuzhumayi Amman Temple after the water Cauvery, Uyyakondan, receded. Sources said that the residents had noticed the crocodile in the shrubs a few days ago and were scary of venturing into the canal.


Visiting the banks on Saturday morning, a few devotees saw the hulking creature and alerted the rescue service officials in Cantonment. A team headed by station officer Melchiah Raj arrived at the scene and launched a hunt. The team captured the crocodile after in two hours.
Following the capture, the forest department officials reached the spot and took possession of the reptile. The forest department later released it into the Kollidam River at Grand Anaicut.
Hundreds of devotees converge at Kuzumayi Amman Temple as the annual festival is nearing.
“Had the reptile was not captured, it might have scared the devotees gathering around the temple on the banks of Uyyanodan canal,” residents said.
Fire service station officer Melchiah Raj warned the public that chances of crocodiles crawling out of rivers or canals is high as there is no flow in waterbodies