First Report of a Fatal Accident of a Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus Porosus) Due to Electrocution in Sri Lanka

Abstract

AttachedA n adult 267 Zi cm long, early gravid fem ale saltw ater crocodile (C rocodylus p o ro su s) found dead in an anthropogenic habitat in a sm all road side stream at w estern province, Sri Lanka. T he crocodile w hile catching a bird had accidentally bit a live high-tension electric w ire w hich had tum bled across the stream , and died outstanding to electrocution. T he dead specim en w as subsequently gifted to U niversity o f Sri Jay ew ard en ep u ra to b e used for the W orld C rocodile C onference - 2013. A ll relevant m easurem ents w ere recorded. P hysically the body o f the dead crocodile w as investigated for external parasites, by using surgical pro ced u res the stom ach contents w ere investigated and w eighed. T he stuffed carcass is presently ho u sed in the m useum o f the U niversity o f Sri Jayew ardenepura, Sri Lanka.