Unbelievable footage captured a moment showing crocodiles helping a stray dog in their river by nudging it to safety.
If you thought crocodiles were cold-blooded, you might be surprised to see this video of them rescuing a dog from danger.
In Maharashtra, India, a group of crocodiles demonstrated an unusual act of compassion.
Instead of attacking a stray dog, they guided it to safety in a remarkable display of unexpected behavior.
This extraordinary event has left experts baffled. They even raised questions about the emotional intelligence of these typically feared reptiles.
Crocodiles save stray dog from danger
A video titled of an unlikely rescue left viewers stunned by the act of compassion shown by animals.
The footage captured the incident as it unfolded when a stray dog was fleeing from a pack of feral dogs.
In its escape, the dog leaped into a river.
This river is known to be inhabited by marsh crocodiles, also called muggers.
As the dog swam desperately to escape, it found itself surrounded by three large crocodiles.
Given the proximity, the dog’s fate seemed sealed. It is believed that the dog was facing death and could have lost its life in a heartbeat.
However, in a surprising twist, two of the crocodiles used their snouts to gently nudge the dog towards the riverbank, away from the pack of feral dogs waiting nearby.
Social media reaction
The video quickly went viral and left viewers shocked, with many unable to believe their eyes. Some questioned why the crocodiles saved the stray dog instead of killing it.
However, others suggested that this was an amazing moment of nature, showing the compassion of wild animals.
One person said: Crocodiles: “Your lucky boy I ate my lunch earlier I’m not hungry”
A second wrote: The crocodile and the dog were good buddies.
While a third commented: The Croc in the fasting month of the season. The dog is a lucky guy.
Another added: With all the dogs around, these crocs would eat very well and maybe they were just full and not hungry…
This has to be staged. Poor dog. I hope he’s okay. Another user added.
The scientist baffled as crocodiles save stray dog
Scientists observing this unusual interaction were astonished.
The crocodiles were within striking range and could have easily attacked the dog, but instead chose to help it reach the safety of the riverbank.
The researchers, who documented this event in the “Journal of Threatened Taxa“, noted that the absence of a predatory response suggests the crocodiles were not driven by hunger at the time.
Possible explanations for crocodiles’s behavior
This behavior has prompted scientists to reconsider what they know about crocodile cognition and emotional capacity.
The researchers speculate that the crocodiles’ actions might reflect a form of emotional empathy, a trait not typically associated with reptiles.
Emotional empathy involves the ability to experience feelings for another being. This characteristic is more commonly attributed to mammals and birds.
The researchers emphasized that this could indicate complex emotional intelligence among marsh crocodiles. These crocodiles are generally not perceived as empathetic creatures.
In short, the unexpected behavior of the marsh crocodiles in Maharashtra challenges long-standing perceptions of reptile intelligence and emotional capacity.
The reasons behind the crocodiles’ decision to save the dog remain speculative.
However, this incident opens up new avenues for understanding animal behavior.
It is particularly significant for species traditionally considered less cognitively complex.
What did you think about this unbelievably crocodile’s behavior?
