A crocodile spotted on Goa beachFacebook/Nilesh Bagkar Crocodile spotted in Goa beachFacebook/Nilesh Bagkar Crocodile spotted in Goa beachFacebook/Nilesh Bagkar Crocodile spotted in Goa beachFacebook/Nilesh Bagkar
An adult crocodile, which was recently spotted at Goa's popular Morjim beach, is sparking concerns for the safety of tourists.
Nilesh Bagkar, a local resident, had posted a set of four images on July 15, which showed the crocodile walking around the beach, before finally heading in to the sea. One picture showed a few dogs in the background barking at the reptile.
Bagkar claimed that he took the photos when he was on a morning walk. "Mrng walk # saw crocodile on morjim beach for the first time... Friends plzzz be careful !," Bagkar wrote after posting the pictures.
The images shared on Facebook by Bagkar soon went viral after they were shared by thousands of social media users. Many social media users after seeing the viral photos even took to Twitter asking tourists to be careful around the beach.
The crocodile sighting has now also been confirmed by the Goa Forest Department. "It is not from the sea. It must have come from the Chapora River, which flows into the sea at Morjim. It must have been chased by the dogs and that is why it ended there," deputy conservator of forests D N F Carvalho told IANS.
Morjim beach, located 30 kilometres from Panaji, is one of the most popular beaches in Goa, especially with Russians. Due to the concentration of Russian immigrants living there, the village is also referred to as 'Little Russia'.
Morjim Beach is also famous for being the nesting and hatching habitat of the Olive Ridley sea turtles, an endangered species.
Twitter Reactions on Crocodile Sighting at Goa Beach
Samir @shadez
Crocodile on Morjim Beach. People on Goa, beware.
Joginder Tuteja @Tutejajoginder
Residents and Tourists in Goa. Be careful. There is a crocodile on a popular beach!
Devesh Shah @deveshshahkk
Crocodile on the beach are anytime welcomed than Crocs on the beach
#goa #crocodile
G Sriniwasa Kumar @SKNonline
Shooting BBM song on @NameisNani @Itslavanya @Morjim beach GOA.Locals said same place a crocodile spotted Yesterday.
