This is the moment several youngsters throw stones at a crocodile lying motionless in the shallows to see if it is dead – and then foolishly try to pull the sleeping giant ashore by grabbing its tail.
According to reports, the crocodile was spotted lying in shallow water along the edge of the Hazara canal beneath a bridge in the town of Kasganj, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
Several boys standing on the bridge threw stones at the reptile to check if it was alive, and when it did not react, decided it was probably dead.
Three young men then climbed down into the canal where one of them pulled the crocodile’s tail once without any response.
But when they pulled its tail a second time, this time to drag it ashore, the crocodile came alive sending the terrified men fleeing as it headed back into the canal.
No injuries were reported in the incident and after the video circulated on social media on 18th January, local authorities and forest department officials warned the public against similar stunts.
They said the crocodile’s tail was a powerful way of propelling itself, and if held can easily cause a person to lose balance.
They added that it can also whip around and reach anyone standing behind, saying the youths had a lucky escape.
To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below. Story By: Michael Leidig, Sub-Editor: Simona Kitanovska, Agency: Newsflash
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