Kendrapada: A 60-year-old crab catcher was attacked by a saltwater crocodile on Monday when he got into a creek in Bhitarkanika National Park to catch mud crabs. But Madan Behera of Bankula village under Dangamal forest range fought bravely with the reptile to save his life. Madan sustained injuries on his legs. The incident took place 12 days after a fatal crocodile attack in which a 57-year-old fisherwoman was killed in Galia creek near Kharinashi village under Mahakalapada forest range.“When I was catching crabs in the creek, a crocodile caught hold of my legs and started dragging me into the water. I started shouting and attacked the reptile’s eyes with my fingers. As a result, the crocodile loosened its grip, hence enabling me to escape,” said Madan while undergoing treatment in the district headquarters hospital, Kendrapada.“After coming to know about the incident, we rushed to the village to investigate the matter. Catching of crabs within the park is illegal. Crabs are food for crocodiles in the park area, which is the home of more than 1,800 saltwater crocodiles,” added the forest range officer of Bhitarkanika, Chitrasen Jena.
