CHENNAI, June 22: A crocodile struck terror in the hearts of hut-dwellers on the banks of the Buckingham canal in the City's Mylapore area on Sunday. Crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of the reptile, even as police went from pillar to post for help to capture the intruder. The Fire Service washed its hands of the affair and the Snake Park authorities passed the buck to the Forest Cell officials, who could not be contacted, it being a holiday. Wild Life Warden Mita Banerjee said the crocodile was only about a year old, and posed no threat. She regretted that the hut-dwellers were trying to harm the reptile. Department officials are taking steps to rescue the crocodile and take it to safety at the Guindy Park.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.