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Talent Chimutambgi-Herald Reporter

Two young boys from Mhondoro, Mashonaland West Province have revealed how they braved a serious contest against a marauding crocodile to rescue a woman who was attacked by the reptile recently.

The incident saw the two minors aged 12 and 10, fending off the crocodile to save a woman who was trapped between the jaws of a crocodile.

In a video that is circulating on social media platforms, one of the children explains how the contest played out.

It was incredible that the boys somewhat outfoxed the crocodile as the reptiles are known to be one of the most adept hunters. 

“We saw her being dragged into the river by a crocodile. This is when we found a long stick which we stretched towards her and pulled her out. 

“It tried to attack her on the leg and I blocked the crocodile by inserting a hand in the mouth, disturbing it from pulling the woman into the river,” narrated the boy.

He said the reptile gave up its fight after sensing defeat.

It was incredible that the boys somewhat outfoxed the crocodile as the reptiles are known to be one of the most adept hunters.

“The reptile was so powerful that it almost tugged us all into the river. That was when my younger brother placed his leg on the crocodile’s head in a bid to distract it before he attacked its eyes with a stick which weakened the reptile which withdrew into the water,” he said.

“We pulled her out of the river and observed that she had sustained some injuries on the leg. We screamed for assistance and a certain man came from the village to help her to go home. At this moment the crocodile was tired of the contest and retreated to take cover under a tree.” 

Head of corporate communications at the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) Mr Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident warning people from getting close to water bodies, especially those known to have crocodiles.

He said a number of lives had been lost last year while some survived crocodile attacks.

“We want to plead with the people to avoid human-wildlife conflict by staying away from sources of water that might be habitats for crocodiles,” said Mr Farawo.

“Last year about 50 lives were lost while 85 survived the attacks and sustained injuries,” he said.