Kendrapara (Odisha): A tragic incident of man-crocodile conflict has resulted in the death of a 51-year-old man in the Bhitarkanika National Park area. The victim, identified as Shiba Shankar Samant from Ratapanga village in the Mahakalapada block, was attacked by a saltwater crocodile while returning home with his cow along the Papuli River.
According to reports, Samant was trying to retrieve his cow from the riverbank when the crocodile struck, grabbing his leg and dragging him into the water. Atal Bhuiyan, who was accompanying Samant, raised the alarm, alerting the victim’s family.
The family quickly contacted the Gahirmatha Forest Ranger to initiate a search and rescue operation. Despite efforts from forest personnel and local residents, the initial searches yielded no results. Tragically, by midnight, fishermen found Samant’s body in the river.
Local police have since recovered the body and sent it for autopsy at a nearby hospital. The incident underscores the ongoing risks associated with human-wildlife interactions in the region.
