BAHRAICH, July 25 -- A nearly 10-ft-long crocodile was safely rescued from a well near a residential area in Bela Makan village in Shivpur block on Friday. The crocodile was later released into Mahadev Taal in the Katarniaghat Forest Division. The rescue operation came days after a 12-year-old boy, Sunil, was killed in a crocodile attack near a riverbank in the district. A video of the incident went viral on social media, raising concerns over increasing human-crocodile encounters in the region. Divisional forest officer (DFO) Sundresh said the forest department received information during the day that a large crocodile had accidentally fallen into a well close to the village settlement. The Nanpara Range rescue team immediately reached the spot. Using specialised rescue equipment, including strong ropes and heavy-duty nets, the forest staff carried out a carefully planned operation. After considerable effort, the crocodile was safely lifted out of the well without causing any injury to the animal or the rescue personnel. Following the rescue, the crocodile was transported under proper safety measures and released into Mahadev Taal, a suitable natural water body in the Katarniaghat Forest Division, as directed by senior forest department officials. DFO Sundresh said the department has intensified its wildlife awareness campaign in villages located along rivers, ponds and wetlands across Bahraich district following recent crocodile-related incidents. Teams are visiting vulnerable villages to educate residents about precautions in crocodile-prone areas. The information about the crocodile trapped in the well at Bela Makan village came from the ongoing awareness initiative. This enabled the department to respond promptly and prevent any untoward incident. The DFO said villagers are also being urged to immediately inform the Forest Department whenever they spot crocodiles or any other wild animal near human habitations. They have been asked not to try to drive the animals away on their own....