Kenyans killed a 17-foot crocodile that had eaten a 3-year-old kid. The child and his family visited a lake in Kenya when the gigantic reptile stole him from his unfortunate mother.
According to the Mirror, the beast from Lake Victoria's Ralayo Beach fell for the trap, and villagers mercilessly attacked it with axes, eventually killing it.
When the crocodile floated onto the next property, the savaged little boy was one of three youngsters who had joined his mother in the lake to gather water.
As the tragic episode rocked the local community, the distraught mother was left watching helplessly.
According to one local, Alex Otieno, the crocodile may have wandered into the region after people established crocodile habitats, boosting the number of assaults in neighborhoods.
Sleekgist said a crocodile killed a 32-year-old woman in the same area in August 2020, with identical traps set to catch the creature.
A fisherman at Ralayo Beach, Paul Omondi, stated that they needed to lure the crocodile in with food to catch the 17-foot-long beast.
"We attach meat to a hook. So, when the crocodile bites the meat, it gets caught," he told Kenyan news outlet The Standard.
Locals Urged to Report a Human-Wildlife Conflict
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has urged residents against taking matters into their own hands. Instead, it urged the locals to report human-wildlife conflicts.
Following the savaged attack that killed the apex predator, Kenya Wildlife Service arrived to collect the reptile's carcass.
Meshack Okuku, head of the Siaya County Beach Management Unit, said in a Daily Star report that the incidence of hippo and crocodile assaults in the region has increased.
Crocodile and hippo assaults have been reported in regions like Rabolo, Anyanga, Nyenye-Misori, Ralayo, and Kamito in Kenya.
ALSO READ : 10-Feet Crocodile Attacks Fisherman by Clamping Jaws Around His Head Before Dragging Him Into a Death Roll
How to Survive An Alligator or Crocodile Attack
If a crocodile or alligator attempts to drag you beneath the water, CNN suggests poking the reptile's eyes or striking them on the top of the head or the side of the jaw. The danger in a water attack is mainly from drowning than from the bite.
If you're on land, don't assume everything is secure. Alligators and crocodiles possess more than just a terrifying set of fangs.
If you're hit by the tail, you can get hurt. Gators may also use their head as battering hammers by whipping them around.
CNN also suggests shouting and creating as much noise as possible. If someone is close, calling 911 for assistance is advisable. Also, someone can beat on the gator and offer it another target if a pole is close.
It is not advisable to enter the water in an attempt to save a person from a crocodile or alligator. It's best to fight the beast on land.
RELATED ARTICLE : Python vs. Alligator: Who Will Win Between the 2 Apex Predators? [Watch]
Check out more news and information on Animals in Science Times.