A day after mid-day reported the discovery of a headless, possibly taxidermied crocodile carcass at Aarey Milk Colony, the case has taken a puzzling turn. With no natural water body in the area to support crocodile life, the incident has baffled officials and conservationists alike. Now, with revelations that a live crocodile was rescued from the same spot a few years ago, questions are mounting: is Aarey turning into a covert dumping ground for trafficked wildlife trophies?

As the Thane Forest Department investigates whether the carcass is genuine or fake, wildlife experts are calling for a deeper probe into potential trafficking networks operating under the radar in Mumbai. While forest officials suspect the carcass might be artificial or made from crocodile skin fashioned into a taxidermy trophy, some conservationists are urging the department to probe deeper into a possible wildlife trafficking angle.

Honorary Wildlife Warden Rohit Mohite said, “The headless crocodile, which appears to be a taxidermy trophy, must be sent for forensic testing to confirm its authenticity. The forest department must not dismiss the trafficking possibility. A few years ago, a live crocodile was rescued from this very location, despite the fact that there is no natural water source here. How did it get there? The department should investigate all leads and check for any organised syndicate involvement.”