The elderly crocodile was fed by visitors to the Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali Shrine in Bagerat district, south-western Bangladesh who were told that feeding the crocodile would bring them good fortune in the future. Increasing numbers of visitors have been sacrificing chickens and goats to the aging reptile.
When a sacrifice was made, shrine priests would summon the croc to his meal with a gong. The crocodile would then surface moments later and consume the offering.
He has now been found dead in his enclosure though, floating upside down, as a consequence of the hugely excessive eating enforced on him by the myriad of donations from fortune-seeking shrine users. Three other crocodiles who used to inhabit the enclosure with him have also died previously, also from overeating.
The crocodile’s keeper, Mohammed Saraw had been aware of the issue prior to the crocodile’s death. He explained that sacrifices used to be just chickens but have been getting larger of late as people hoped for increased chance of their wish being granted. He said “We were aware of the problem but were not sure what to do about it. The legend is that anybody who feeds the hunger of the crocodiles will have their hearts desire fulfilled.”
Local legend says that the pond in which the crocodile lived was dug by the Muslim saint Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali 600 years ago who originally used it to house two crocodiles. People believe that if the hunger of the crocs is appeased then the desire of their heart will be fulfilled.
