The Director General (DG) of the Wildlife Conservation Department Chandana Sooriyabandara said that removing crocodiles from water bodies located in the vicinity of Colombo is not a practical solution for the related issues as it takes place due to the migratory patterns of the crocodiles.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (13), he also said that the Department will advise to remove them based on the specific locations where they find crocodiles.

Speaking further, he noted that these migratory patterns of crocodiles – which can be seen annually – are natural in the behaviour of crocodiles and that therefore, removing these animals will not be a proper solution for this issue. “If a crocodile can be seen near the beaches, we believe that they have come from inland water bodies through rivers and canals. These actions cannot be controlled regularly. For example, if there is a crocodile near the ‘Diya Daru’ Park in the Diyawannawa, we have to remove it without thinking twice. So, the news that the Department has said not to remove crocodiles is incorrect. We advise to remove them only when it is necessary”.

He stressed that the Department is working on finding multiple solutions for these types of issues where everyone has to be very careful in dealing with it as it directly connects with nature. “So, we have to manage the danger but we must not remove these animals from the places that they live in whenever we see them. We cannot recommend it as a good solution as we cannot give an assurance that those animals will never return. But, we know that there will be no solution other than removing them if the situation is at its worst, and in such cases, we advise the relevant parties to take necessary steps,” he added. He also said: “Being practical” is the best way to deal with these kinds of issues which are sensitive to both humans and animals.