Selfie stunt with 'plastic' crocodile turns into 30‑minute nightmare
Macabre scenes unfolded at a zoo in the Philippines. A 29-year-old tourist was attacked by a crocodile after he climbed into its enclosure to take a selfie. The man probably thought he was dealing with a plastic exhibit.
At the end of April, a 29-year-old man visiting a zoo in the Zamboanga Sibugay province in the Philippines was attacked by a crocodile. The drama unfolded in front of witnesses who tried to warn the tourist, but to no avail.
As reported by the "Daily Mail," the man climbed into the enclosure to take a selfie with the crocodile. When he entered the water, he smiled and pulled out his smartphone. At that moment, the reptile named Lalay attacked the tourist, dragging him into the water and sinking its teeth into his arm and thigh.
The man was trapped for about half an hour. He miraculously escaped with his life, because the crocodile keeper managed to rescue him. The man reportedly struck the reptile on the head, causing Lalay to finally release her victim from her jaws.
Did he think the crocodile was made of plastic?
The injured tourist was immediately taken to hospital. He received over 50 stitches on his arm and thigh.
According to media reports, the man probably climbed into the enclosure because he believed the animal was made of plastic (crocodiles often remain motionless, which may have misled the 29-year-old).
Joel Sajolga from the local police emphasised that such behaviour is extremely dangerous and no one should enter animal enclosures at a zoo. "The tourist was lucky to survive," said Sajolga. He also noted that staff members were present at the zoo, but they were unable to prevent the man from entering the enclosure.
A video of the incident has appeared online, but we are not publishing it due to its graphic nature.
