Crocodiles Break Free at Kolkata Zoo During Record Rain Chaos

In a startling incident amid one of Kolkata’s heaviest rainfalls in nearly four decades, two crocodiles escaped their enclosure at the Alipore Zoological Museum on September 23, triggering a tense hour-long operation to recapture them. The deluge, which dumped a record 262 mm of rain in 24 hours, inundated the zoo, disrupted normal operations, and left the city grappling with widespread flooding, paralyzed transport, and tragic loss of life.

Zoo employees, conducting routine inspections of enclosures housing tigers, hippos, giraffes, and other animals, spotted the errant crocodiles after floodwaters breached their habitat. “The zoo employees managed to keep 16 other crocodiles within the enclosure but had a trying time capturing the two that strayed,” a zoo official reported. Using specialized nets and coordinated efforts, the team successfully returned the reptiles to their enclosure within an hour, averting a potential crisis. The official clarified, “There was no possibility of the crocodiles straying outside the zoo area, as the outlet connecting it with the Tolly Nallah drain has a net on its mouth,” ensuring public safety.

The unprecedented rainfall, recorded as Kolkata’s highest single-day downpour since 1986, overwhelmed the zoo’s infrastructure, flooding multiple enclosures and necessitating emergency measures. Authorities deployed several high-capacity pumps to drain water from critical areas, safeguarding animals like the zoo’s prized white tigers, Indian elephants, and rhinos. The flooding posed particular challenges for low-lying enclosures, with hippos and crocodiles at heightened risk due to their aquatic habitats. Zoo staff worked tirelessly through the night, reinforcing barriers and relocating smaller animals to higher ground to prevent further escapes or injuries.

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The broader impact of the deluge was catastrophic, claiming at least 10 lives across Kolkata and adjoining districts, with nine fatalities attributed to electrocution amid waterlogged streets. The torrential rain crippled air, rail, and road transport, forcing the cancellation of over 20 flights at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport and halting suburban train services. Schools and colleges shut down, and the West Bengal government advanced Durga Puja holidays to manage the crisis, urging residents to stay indoors. Flooded neighborhoods, including low-lying areas like Behala and Salt Lake, saw homes inundated, with civic authorities struggling to restore normalcy.

The Alipore Zoological Museum, one of India’s oldest and most visited zoos, houses over 1,500 animals across 100 species, making it a critical conservation and tourism hub. The incident has raised concerns about the facility’s preparedness for extreme weather events, especially as climate change intensifies monsoon patterns. Zoo officials have since initiated a review of drainage systems and enclosure designs, with plans to consult experts on flood-resistant infrastructure. “We’re assessing vulnerabilities to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” an official stated, noting that no animals were harmed during the ordeal.

The crocodile escape, while swiftly contained, underscores the broader challenges faced by Kolkata as it battles the aftermath of the deluge. With the India Meteorological Department warning of continued heavy rain in coastal West Bengal, authorities are on high alert, prioritizing both human and animal safety. The incident, though resolved without further incident, serves as a stark reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the urgent need for resilient urban and zoological planning.

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