In a display of extraordinary courage and maternal instinct, a mother in Uttar Pradesh, India, has saved her five-year-old son from a crocodile attack. The incident occurred in Bahraich when the young boy was playing near a drain.

Maya, the boy's mother, witnessed the horrifying moment when a crocodile emerged and snatched her child. Without hesitation, she sprang into action. Her quick thinking and bravery became the defining factor in saving her son's life.

Details of the rescue are still emerging, but this incident is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by crocodiles in certain regions. Crocodile attacks, while relatively rare, can be fatal. It is estimated that crocodiles are responsible for approximately 1,000 human deaths each year. Many more attacks result in serious injuries.

In similar incidents, other mothers have shown incredible bravery when faced with the threat of a crocodile attack. In 2020, Maurina Musisinyana, a mother in Zimbabwe, saved her three-year-old son by sticking her fingers up the crocodile's nose. This caused the reptile to release its grip. The boy was rushed to the hospital with severe bleeding and facial injuries but has since made a full recovery. Maurina explained that she learned the technique from elders, who taught her that suffocating a crocodile in this way weakens it.

Also, in the Kavango East Region, a pregnant mother rescued her 4-year-old son from a crocodile attack. The children were playing in shallow water while their mother was washing them. The mother noticed a strange movement in the water and then saw her son in the crocodile's mouth. She and her sister ran to the rescue. The mother got on the crocodile's back and forcibly opened its mouth while her sister pulled the boy to safety.

These incidents highlight the importance of awareness and caution in areas where crocodiles are known to inhabit. In July 2024, human remains were found in Australia during the search for a 12-year-old girl believed to have been the victim of a crocodile attack. The girl was reportedly swimming with her family in a creek near a remote town south of Darwin in the Northern Territory. This region is home to an estimated 100,000 saltwater crocodiles, which are considered among the most aggressive.

In March 2025, a seven-year-old boy lost his arm in a crocodile attack while on a fishing trip in South Africa. The boy was in the shallows of the Roodekopjes Dam when he was suddenly dragged under the water. His friend's screams alerted his parents, who rushed to help. The boy was pulled from the water, but his arm was gone.

In June 2025, a one-year-old boy in Malaysia died after being attacked by a crocodile. The boy was in a canoe with his father, who was fishing when the attack occurred. The father tried to save his son but was unsuccessful and was injured in the process.

These tragic events emphasize the need for vigilance and preventative measures in crocodile-prone areas. Authorities often issue warnings to residents and visitors to take extra precautions when near water. These may include avoiding swimming in known crocodile habitats, especially at dawn and dusk, and keeping a close watch on children and pets. In some areas, authorities are working to establish crocodile enclosures and improve water provision to minimize human-crocodile conflict.