A terrifying ordeal unfolded in eastern India when a 14-year-old managed to fend off a wild boar attack in a canal by forcing the animal's jaws shut with his hands for nearly two hours.
According to ETV Bharat, 14-year-old Suman was attacked near Gopalpur village in Odisha's Cuttack district and suffered injuries in more than five places before villagers and rescuers were able to get him free.
Here's what to know
The incident began when Suman went to the Nadikunda canal. A wild boar started chasing him, and when he jumped into the canal to escape, the animal followed and kept attacking.
With neither a weapon nor an easy way out, Suman reportedly used his grip on the boar's mouth to keep its jaws closed.
For nearly two hours, he stayed locked in that struggle. Passersby eventually noticed and alerted a nearby fire services unit. Rescue workers arrived with specialized equipment, trapped the boar, and brought Suman out. They later took him to a nearby sub-divisional hospital for treatment.
Dr. Abhishek Swain, who treated him, said: "The child is a little nervous, but his injuries have been treated properly. He should recover within a day or two."
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
Villager Prabhudatta Rout, who first spotted the attack, described the moment rescue efforts began.
"When I shouted at him, I saw him struggling with a wild boar. I raised an alarm, and villagers gathered after calling a fire team for rescue," Rout said.
Villagers told ETV Bharat that wild boar activity around Nadikunda has become more common.
What's being done?
Villagers have urged the Forest Department to move the boars away from the area and back into nearby forests before anyone else gets hurt.
Suman described the split-second decision that kept him alive.
"When it followed me into the canal and began attacking, I grabbed its mouth with all my strength. I was extremely frightened, but I knew I had to be brave to save my life. I did not let it loose and that is how I survived. Otherwise, the boar could have killed me."
Where can I learn more?
Here are a few other stories about wild animal encounters.
• Elsewhere in India, a boar smashed into a store, gored a shopkeeper, and bolted onto the highway.
• Across California parks, very little truly stops invasive wild pigs from tearing up land.
• At Yellowstone, tourists violated bison safety guidelines and ended up dangerously close.
• In Botswana, an enraged elephant turned on two safari boats near stunned tourists.
• At Glacier National Park, a tourist stood in its way during a deer charge.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
