Second Crocodile Attack in Two Days Rocks Jajpur District's Kharasrota River
A 47-year-old man sustained serious injuries in a crocodile attack in the Kharasrota river in Jajpur district, Odisha, on Friday morning. This alarming incident marks the second such attack in the same area within just two days, raising significant concerns among local residents and authorities.
Victim Details and Attack Circumstances
The victim, identified as Pratap Mallick from Gholapur village under the Dalijoda forest range, was bathing in the river when the reptile suddenly launched its assault. He suffered severe injuries to his hand, neck, and back. Currently, Mallick is undergoing treatment at the district headquarters hospital in Jajpur, where medical staff are working to stabilize his condition.
In a chilling account, Pratap Mallick described the terrifying moment: "I was in waist-deep water when the reptile grabbed my hand. Other villagers heard my cry for help and came to my rescue. As luck would have it, my life was saved as the reptile gave in after others started throwing stones at it."
Previous Attack and Official Assessment
This recent attack follows another incident on Wednesday afternoon, where a 66-year-old farmer was attacked by a saltwater crocodile in the same river while taking a bath. Satyananda Subudhi, forest range officer of Dalijodi forest range, confirmed that preliminary assessment suggests the same crocodile was involved in both attacks.
"The crocodile must have covered around 100 km from Bhitarkanika to reach the Kharasrota river in Jajpur district," Subudhi stated, highlighting the significant distance the reptile traveled.
Forest Department's Immediate Response
The recurrence of attacks in the same belt has prompted the forest department to initiate immediate action. "A team from Bhitarkanika National Park reached the area on Friday to capture the strayed crocodile. The team is equipped with nests and other equipment to capture the crocodile," Subudhi added, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Background on Bhitarkanika's Crocodile Population
Bhitarkanika National Park is the only place in Odisha where more than 1,800 saltwater crocodiles reside. While these reptiles typically remain within the park's boundaries, occasional wanderings into surrounding water bodies have been documented. The recent attacks underscore the growing human-animal conflict in the region, necessitating enhanced safety measures and public awareness campaigns.
The forest department continues to monitor the situation closely, urging residents to exercise extreme caution when near riverbanks. Further updates on the capture operation and the victim's recovery are anticipated in the coming days.
