Bhubaneswar: A giant gharial rescued from the Bay of Bengal off the Balasore coast recently is now the new guest at the Nandankanan Zoo on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar.

The 13-ft-long gharial that weighs 118 kg has been kept at Enclosure No.27 on the premises of the zoo.

According to reports, the gharial was trapped in the fishing net of some fishermen, who had ventured into the sea last week. The fishermen captured the huge saltwater crocodile and informed the forest department.

On receiving information, a team from the Nandankanan Zoological Park moved to the Balasore district to bring the gharial. The forest department today handed over the rescued reptile to the zoo authority.