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Young crocs released into Kandy reservoir may become a problem
The release of two young crocodiles into the Dumandalawa reservoir, the perennial water reservoir which comes under the Kandy Municipality, is highly dangerous Kandy Lawyers Forum President Shantha Ratnayake PC said recently.
He said these creatures are “protected species” in the country, and this action constitutes as a violation of the Flora and Fauna Act.
“If action is not taken to remove and relocate these crocodiles at the earliest, with the aid of wildlife officials, the people of Kandy will face a problem in the future,” he added.
Meanwhile, when Kandy Mayor Kesara Senanayake was contacted, he said he was unaware of the release of these young crocodiles into the reservoir. He also said that he was calling for an immediate inquiry into the matter, and no one can enter the reservoir premises without his permission.
Environmentalists in Kandy were concerned as to whether the crocodiles would eventually invade the Kandy Lake, due to the ‘foolish move’ allegedly by Kandy Municipal officials.
It is believed that the crocodiles ended up in the reservoir after they were found in a ‘tipper’ that brought sand to Katugastota from Toppigala in the Uva Province. When the sand was unloaded the lorry driver had found two small crocodiles around two to three days old.
According to the lorry driver and the other workers, they found crocodile eggs at the Toppigala sand mine, and had thrown them away into the river. But they suspected that two eggs may have remained in the sand that was transported to Katugastota, and they hatched on the way.
They said the area wildlife officials were notified after the young crocodiles were discovered, and they were asked to take them back to the Toppigala sand mine and release them there. However, Kandy Municipal officials allegedly decided to release the young crocodiles into the Dumandalawa reservoir.
Environmentalists in the area are concerned that this action would lead to more crocodiles breeding in the reservoir and the surrounding area, as one of the two young crocodiles in question is a male, while the other is female.