For over a century now, freshwater crocodiles were believed to be extinct from the Bangladesh. However, in the past 50 years two such crocodiles were spotted, the most recent one being at Char Komorpur in Pabna. The crocodile has taken shelter in a disconnected lagoon of the Padma river for over a week at the char, near Komorpur village.

Locals in the area said since the water level has receded, the lagoon was disconnected from the main channel of the river.This was the second freshwater crocodile seen in a river in the last 50 years as it was believed to be extinct from the country's rivers for a century, the forest department said.

Locals said the huge crocodile was seen in the water near the river bank a week ago. While some villagers made attempts to kill the animal out of fear, others protested.

The fear of the crocodile has stopped locals from going to the river. They have demanded that the animal be rescued from the spot and relocated but forest department officials have refused to do so for the sake of the reptile's safety.

About six to seven feet long, a part of the crocodile's face can sometimes be seen above the water. It eats fish in the river or foxes that roam near the banks, locals said. Forest department and wild life department officials visited the spot and together took the decision to let the crocodile stay where it was.

its a big crocodile and the lagoon near the river is safe for the animal. The crocodile takes shelter in the deepest portion of the water body about one kilometer away from the locality. There is also enough food for it in the spot