Guwahati: A female gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) -- an endangered crocodile species -- was stoned to death by villagers after being spotted at Nijalguri area of Assam’s Chirang district recently.

As per sources, the 5-feet, 11-inch and 25.37-kg reptile surfaced in the waters of Aie river, a tributary of the Brahmaputra river, on October 8. After spotting it, a section of villagers allegedly killed the endangered animal by pelting stones at it after it sparked panic among them.

It was also informed that the juvenile reptile was stoned to death much before the forest officials could manage to reach the spot and rescue it from the hands of the frantic locals.

Meanwhile, local forest officials suspect that the endangered species must have strayed from a captive gharial breeding centre situated at Gelephu in the bordering country of Bhutan. However, it can be confirmed officially only after the genetic evidence reports of the reptile will be examined and released that is under process.

Speaking with EastMojo, deputy conservator of forests (western range) of Manas National Park, Brahmananda Patiri, revealed that this was not the first time this endangered species was spotted in the locality. Earlier too, on several other occasions, there were reports of sighting of gharials at several other parts of the district and one was even rescued from Hajo in 2001.