Scientists believe rare rescue is a sign that the fearsome reptiles may be capable of compassion
In an apparent example of interspecies compassion, a group of crocodiles appeared to usher a dog to safety after it fell into a dangerous river.
The dog, believed to be a stray, was being chased by a pack of other feral canines when it jumped into the River Savirtri in India out of harm’s way, or so it thought.
But the river was infested by local mugger crocodiles, and three of them were floating near the stray.
This should have been the end of the helpless pup, with the crocs being “well within the striking range,” according to a report published by scientists in the Journal of Threatening Taxa.
However, the crocodiles appeared to usher the dog back to safety on the shore.
“These crocodiles were actually touching the dog with their snouts and nudging it to move further for a safe ascent on the bank and eventually escape,” the researchers wrote.
“The muggers were well within the striking range and could have easily devoured the dog, yet none of them attacked and instead chose to nudge it towards the bank, implying that the hunger drive was absent.”
The researchers say that the crocodiles were “docile”. Adult male mugger crocs can reach 18 feet long and weigh up to 1,000 pounds, according to the Wildlife Institute of India.
The researchers said they believe that the pup rescue could be a sign of the crocs having emotional intelligence.
“The curious case of a dog ‘rescued’ by the group of crocodiles reported here seems more on lines of empathy than altruistic behaviour,” the scientists said.
Aside from the muggers’ apparent alliance with stray dogs, scientists discovered another wholesome obsession that the crocs appeared to have: marigold flowers.
Crocodiles are often seen floating or laying in marigolds, often keeping “physical contact” with the yellow flowers, which the researchers note have compounds that can protect skin from fungi and bacteria.
The Savitri River is polluted with sewage and other harmful ingredients, so this may be why they like to have contact with the petals.
Left alone and suffering, a mother dog brings new life into this world, cradling her newborns in the chilly embrace, longing for love and comfort
What was most shocking? The heartless culprit was none other than the owner, banishing this innocent mother and her pups to such extreme conditions.
As we watched the video, our hearts sank. The mother dog lay outside, shivering, doing her best to protect her newborns.
Despite her own suffering, she ate snow to keep her puppies warm. Her resilience touched us deeply, but we knew they couldn’t survive long.
With urgency, we embarked on a three-hour rescue mission. The scene broke our hearts. We named the mother Maria, and her three pups were finally safe. In a warm, comfortable environment, we vowed to prevent their suffering.
Maria, understandably wary, had endured much pain and neglect. Trust was hard-earned. As we cared for her, she slowly relaxed.
Maria ate well, nourishing her weary body. Seeing her puppies thrive brought joy. We vowed to protect and love them.
Fifteen days later, Maria’s puppies thrived. Maria improved, a testament to their strength.
Fifty days later, the heartwarming news arrived—Maria and her pups had forever homes. We were grateful for the support.
One year later, Maria thrived in her forever home, alongside her companion Mike. Her pups grew into beautiful dogs. They formed a happy family, a testament to compassion.
This story reminds us of resilience and love. Maria’s journey inspires us to fight for the voiceless, ensuring no innocent animal suffers.
May her story kindle compassion and remind us of love’s transformative power.
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