Crocodile being taken to Khulna after fatal attack at Khan Jahan Ali shrine pond

Forest officials capture the reptile using food bait before shifting it into a transport vehicle

The lone female crocodile living in the pond of Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali's shrine in Bagerhat has been removed.

The reptile is being taken to the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre in Khulna.

On Wednesday, officials captured the crocodile from the pond around noon, Bagerhat Sadar Upazila administrator (UNO) Atiya Khatun said.

Forest Department personnel later loaded the animal onto a vehicle and headed for Khulna.

The move came after an 8-year-old girl, identified only as Fatema, was killed in an attack by the crocodile on Monday night.

The child had entered the women's Ghat to bathe or wash when the reptile dragged her into the water.

Her body was recovered after it surfaced the following morning.

To prevent similar incidents, authorities decided at an emergency meeting on Tuesday night to remove the crocodile from the pond.

Officials from the administration and Forest Department gathered at the shrine in the morning to carry out the operation.

The crocodile was spotted on the eastern bank of the pond around 10:30am, prompting the capture effort.

Around noon, officials lured the reptile with food and secured it.

It was then lifted from the pond under tight security measures and placed onto a vehicle.

Atiya said the decision to relocate the crocodile had been taken in the interest of public safety.

The UNO added that a decision on its future would be announced later.