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Crocodiles moved from world's tallest statue

Statue of Unity - Level 0

Over 300 crocodiles in India are moving. They are too near a tourist sight. The crocs could be a danger to tourists near the Statue of Unity. It is the world's tallest statue. Tourist seaplanes land on a reservoir near the sight. This is where the crocs live. They could attack tourists. Some of the crocs are over three meters long.

Animal lovers are angry. One said the government is risking the lives and safety of the crocodiles. An environmental magazine editor said the idea was crazy. A journalist said moving the crocodiles could break India's wildlife laws. Another official said they had to move the crocodiles for "security reasons".

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Statue of Unity - Level 1

Over 300 crocodiles in India are being moved because they are too near a tourist sight. Officials say the crocs could be a danger to tourists near the Statue of Unity. The statue opened last October. It is the tallest statue in the world. Officials want the crocodiles moved so seaplanes can land on a reservoir, where the crocs live. They could attack tourists. Some of the crocs are over three meters long. They are going to a new home in another part of India.

Animal lovers are angry. One said: "The government is...putting their lives at risk. [It] hasn't thought...where it will release the...crocodiles safely." An environmental magazine editor said the idea to move the crocodiles was crazy. An Indian journalist and activist said moving the crocodiles could break India's wildlife protection laws. Another official said they had to move the crocodiles for "security reasons".

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Statue of Unity - Level 2

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Workers in India are moving 300 crocodiles because they are too near a new tourist sight. Officials in India's state of Gujarat say the crocs could be a danger to tourists visiting the Statue of Unity. The statue opened last October. It is 182m high and is the tallest statue in the world. It is next to a reservoir. Tourism officials want the giant reptiles moved so tourist seaplanes can land on the reservoir. If the crocodiles stayed, they could attack tourists. Officials are using cages to catch the animals. Some of the crocs are over 3m long. They are going to a new home in another part of Gujarat.

Animal lovers are angry the crocodiles are moving. One said: "The government is disturbing their habitat and putting their lives at risk. [It] hasn't thought out where it will release the captured crocodiles safely." The editor of an environmental magazine, Bittu Sahgal, said the idea to move the crocodiles was crazy. He asked if people had lost their minds. An Indian journalist and activist, Pritish Nandy, said moving the crocodiles could break India's wildlife protection laws. Another official said the crocodiles had to go for "security reasons".

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Statue of Unity - Level 3

Workers in India are moving over 300 crocodiles from their home because they are too near a new tourist sight. Officials in India's state of Gujarat want to move the crocs because they could be a danger to tourists visiting the new Statue of Unity. The statue opened to the public last October. It is 182m high and is the tallest statue in the world. It is next to a reservoir, which is also home to many crocodiles. Tourism officials want the giant reptiles moved so seaplanes for tourists can land on the reservoir. If the crocodiles stayed, they could be dangerous and attack tourists. Officials are using cages to catch the animals. Some of them are over 3m long. They are going to a new home in another part of Gujarat.

Animal lovers are angry that people are moving the crocodiles. Dr Jitendra Gavali said: "The government is disturbing their habitat and putting their lives at risk. The government hasn't thought out where it will release the captured crocodiles safely." So far, only 17 of the animals have been caught and moved. The editor of the environmental magazine 'Sanctuary Asia', Bittu Sahgal, said the idea to move the crocodiles was crazy. He tweeted: "Have we collectively lost our minds? As any environmentalist will tell you, this is sheer insanity." Indian journalist and activist Pritish Nandy said moving the crocodiles could break India's wildlife protection laws. An official said the crocodiles had to go for "security reasons".

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