An extraordinary display of bravery and quick thinking was showcased by a 14-year-old boy who engaged in a fierce struggle with an adult wild boar while standing in knee-deep water in a canal for more than one-and-a-half hours. This incident occurred in Gopalpur village, located in Cuttack’s Dampada block.
The teenager, identified as Suman Behera, was at Nadikunda canal for a morning routine when the ordeal began, as reported by the Times of India. While bathing in the canal, he was suddenly confronted by the wild boar, which charged at him after emerging from nearby bushes. This situation escalated quickly as Suman attempted to escape by jumping into the water, hoping the animal would shy away from entering it. However, the boar lunged at him instead.
Determined to survive, Suman fought back against the boar, which had sharp tusks, in the shallow waters. He managed to subdue the animal by tightly gripping its neck, preventing it from attacking him further or escaping.
Realizing he needed assistance, Suman called out for help, prompting nearby locals to rush to his aid. They contacted the Banki fire station, situated just 200 meters away. Upon the rescue team’s arrival, they encountered a remarkable scene: the boy had been holding onto the wild boar for over an hour, successfully keeping it at bay.
“When we arrived, the boy had already been holding the wild boar for over an hour, preventing it from escaping or harming him. As we tried to rescue them, the animal doubled its strength and efforts to escape. However, the boy showed immense bravery and did not let go of it,”
said a member of the fire services.
The rescuers first used an animal catcher to safely remove the boar and subsequently assisted Suman in exiting the canal. Their swift action concluded the intense encounter.
Although Suman sustained some injuries during the struggle, he was taken to Banki sub-divisional hospital, where his condition has been reported as stable.
A video capturing this dramatic incident has since gone viral on social media, highlighting the teenager’s bravery, which has garnered widespread admiration from the community.
