LUCKNOW: A crocodile rescued from outskirts of city was handed over to ghariyal rehabilitation centre at Kukrail on Wednesday. The semi-adult female crocodile has already been put in isolation at the centre to come to terms with its new surroundings. The isolation will continue for about 10 days. The forest team had rescued the four-year-old from a village under Gudamba police station. This is the first crocodile spotting and rescue from a residential area this season. "We got active as soon as we got to know of the spotting," said Ashok Mishra, DFO, Awadh. Crocodile spottings in human habitation is a common feature during monsoons. More so because waterways get inter-connected and reptiles move with the flow of water. Past is replete with incidents where reptiles have slunk through interconnected water bodies into ponds and nallahs in residential places. But, incidence of spottings has increased lately. In 2008, rehabilitation centre received 11 rescued crocodiles whereas in 2007, it received three such creatures. The centre too has its limits and can not keep more than 10 crocodiles at any time because it is a facility meant for ghariyals. Moreover, the centre also does not allow breeding of crocodiles. "Releasing the rescued creatures in the wild is the only option," said Eva Sharma, conservator, endangered species division. Last time, the centre had released the rescued crocodiles into Katarniaghat. The reptiles recede to their original shelters with the ebbing of monsoon water. But, do they have much of these original shelters left? Ponds are getting lost to residential encroachments. The river coarses getting diverted and their tributaries almost losing existence. Crocodile is a schedule (I) species and is critically endangered. There is much need to generate water corridors to allow these reptiles free space. The same could be done by opening up of blocked nallahs and river courses, said a retired forest official. These outlets are well-acquainted habitats of crocodiles who have always been there. The experts who have been involved with wildlife conservation in the state said that crocodiles like to be left alone and hence it is always advisable for humans not to disturb them lest they should embark on an attack. The concept of wildlife conservation has human tolerance and understanding at its centre. "Every creature coming close to human settlement does not deserve to be put at a rehabilitation centre," said an official.