Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh – In two separate incidents that have left residents both shocked and in awe, two women from the Bahraich district risked their lives to rescue their loved ones from ferocious crocodile attacks, cementing themselves as local heroes.
The dramatic episodes are a chilling reminder of the growing human-wildlife confrontations across India, especially in regions bordering rivers, forests, and wildlife habitats.
A Mother’s Courage: Saving Her Son from a Crocodile’s Jaws
The first incident occurred in Dhakiya village in the Khairighat area on Sunday, when five-year-old Veeru was suddenly dragged into a drain by a seven-foot-long crocodile that had likely ventured into the village from the swollen Ghaghra River.
Hearing his terrified screams, his mother, May, sprinted to the scene, armed only with her courage and a rod. My child was trapped in the crocodile’s jaws.
I jumped in without thinking of my life.
It was pulling him with immense force, but I clung to him with all my strength. I had an iron rod and struck the crocodile again and again until it finally let go,” Maya recounted with tears in her eyes.
The boy was injured but is now out of danger, confirmed Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Ram Singh Yadav. Wildlife teams have placed nets at multiple locations to capture the crocodile, but it remains at large.
Locals have been warned to stay away from rivers and streams, especially during the monsoon, when crocodiles often wander into human settlements.
A Wife’s Bravery: Rescuing Her Husband from Certain Death
In another chilling encounter, Madhavapur village in Motipur witnessed a similar act of valor. Saifu, 45, was crossing the Ramtaliya canal with his wife, Surjana, and sister-in-law when a crocodile lunged at him, sinking its teeth deep into his leg.
Surjana, thinking quickly, threw her sari into the water, allowing her husband to grab onto it as villagers rushed to help. Armed with sticks, they beat the reptile until it released its grip. Saifu was rushed to a local hospital and later shifted to Bahraich Medical College, where doctors are closely monitoring his recovery.
Forest officials from the Katarniaghat Wildlife Division attribute these attacks to heavy rainfall, which has swollen rivers and forced crocodiles closer to villages. Rescue operations are underway to capture and relocate the reptiles.
A Growing Crisis: Wildlife on the Doorstep
These heart-stopping incidents highlight a larger, worrying trend: human-wildlife conflict is on the rise in India.
Over the past few years, there have been frequent reports of leopards, tigers, elephants, and crocodiles venturing into cities and towns far removed from their natural habitats.
Rapid urbanization, deforestation, and climate change have disrupted ecosystems, forcing wild animals to stray into human settlements in search of food and shelter.
From leopards spotted in residential neighborhoods of Mumbai to elephants wandering onto highways in Assam, and now crocodiles lurking in canals of Uttar Pradesh, these encounters have left people fearful and authorities scrambling to find solutions.
Experts warn that unless there is a stronger focus on habitat preservation, wildlife corridors, and public awareness campaigns, such incidents may continue to escalate, putting both humans and animals at risk.
Call for Vigilance and Co-Existence
Forest officials are urging villagers in Bahraich and other flood-prone regions to exercise extreme caution near rivers, ponds, and canals, especially during monsoon months.
Authorities have deployed special teams for rescue operations and are conducting awareness drives to help communities adapt to living near wildlife-rich zones.
The bravery of Maya and Surjana has inspired locals, but their stories also serve as a wake-up call: wildlife is not just confined to forests anymore, and peaceful co-existence is no longer a choice but a necessity.
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