Residents of Eliyadivulwewa in Eppawala worked together to capture a crocodile that entered a private garden, which wildlife officials say will be relocated to Wilpattu Reserve.

A crocodile that ventured into a residential garden in Eliyadivulwewa, Eppawala, was successfully captured by local residents and transferred to authorities on Sunday. The reptile was first spotted near the Eliyadivulwewa tank around 10:00 pm on Saturday evening, according to accounts from villagers in the area.

With assistance from neighbours, residents managed to secure the animal and restrain it to a tree before notifying the Thalawa Wildlife Office. Officials arrived and formally received the crocodile the following day. According to the Wildlife authorities, the captured reptile will be released into Wilpattu Reserve as part of standard relocation procedures.

This marks the second such incident in the same location. Wildlife officials noted that an earlier occasion saw another crocodile discovered in the garden, along with eggs and hatchlings, which were also captured and handed over to authorities. The repeated incidents suggest the area's proximity to wildlife habitats makes crocodile encounters a recurring concern for residents in the region.