A 13-year-old boy is in hospital after a crocodile grabbed him by the neck while he swam in a canal in southern India. Vishal Rawat was in the water with four friends in the Virija Canal at Palahalli, in Karnataka, when the reptile attacked.
He suffered serious injuries to his neck and windpipe, as well as wounds to his chin, chest, hands and legs. His friends fought back by pelting the crocodile with stones and beating it with sticks until it released him.
Treatment and condition
Vishal was given first aid at a local government hospital before being transferred to KR Hospital in Mysuru for further treatment. Doctors said he was being kept under close observation and was expected to remain in hospital for another two or three days.
His family is originally from Borgaon village in Maharashtra's Chandrapur district. His parents had moved to the area for sugarcane harvesting work, and the family was staying near Maramma Temple with other agricultural labourers.
Local concerns and past incidents
The attack has sparked concern among residents, who say crocodile sightings in the canal have become increasingly frequent. Locals also recalled a recent incident in which a crocodile reportedly killed and ate a goat grazing on the canal bank.
It is not the first time crocodiles have caused alarm around the waterway. Local reports in 2021 said two crocodiles had killed goats in the canal, prompting Forest Department staff to try to capture the reptiles. Officials initially used nets, but the crocodiles reportedly tore through them. A cage baited with chicken meat was subsequently placed near the canal in an attempt to trap them. Later that month, another large crocodile was reportedly spotted on the canal bank, again prompting Forest Department officials to place a cage.
Ongoing response
Forest personnel are now monitoring the area following the attack on Vishal and are attempting to capture the crocodile. Officials said it would be relocated to the Cauvery River if caught.
