Crocodile to be Relocated After Fatally Attacking Girl at Shrine

Authorities in Bangladesh's Bagerhat district have decided to relocate a crocodile from a pond at the Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali shrine following a fatal attack on a seven-year-old girl. The lone crocodile residing in the shrine pond will be moved to the Karamjal Wildlife Breeding Centre in the Sundarbans.

The decision was made at an emergency meeting attended by officials from the district administration, police, and the forest department. Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Golam Mohammad Baten stated that ensuring the safety of visitors is the top priority and that security around the shrine will be enhanced. An expert team from Khulna is expected to arrive to oversee the relocation operation.

Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, divisional forest officer of the Bagerhat East Sundarbans Division, explained that specialists will first assess the crocodile's behavior and location before determining the capture and relocation method. The move comes after the tragic death of Fatema Akter, 7, who was attacked while bathing in the shrine pond on Monday evening.

Witnesses reported that the crocodile grabbed the child by the leg and dragged her underwater at the women's bathing ghat. A search operation involving firefighters, police, and local residents continued through the night, and her body was recovered early yesterday. The incident highlights the risks faced by visitors at the popular shrine.

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Ensuring the safety of visitors is our top priority.