Bhubaneswar: Forest Department officials rescued a 7-foot-long crocodile from a canal in Bichitrapur village in Balasore district late last night.According to sources, locals spotted the reptile and informed the forest department, which dispatched a team to rescue the crocodile. After a prolonged search operation, the team successfully captured the crocodile.Forest Officer Jayshree Murmu commended the efforts of the rescue team, including Udayapur Forest Range Officer Sanjay Kumar Mohanty and members of Sabuja Bahini.The rescued crocodile will be released into its natural habitat at Bhitarkanika National Park.