Tourist survives crocodile attack after selfie attempt goes wrong
Macabre scenes unfolded at a zoo in the Philippines when a 29-year-old tourist was attacked by a crocodile after climbing into its enclosure to take a selfie. The man probably thought he was dealing with a plastic exhibit.
At the end of April, during a visit to a zoo in the Zamboanga Sibugay province of the Philippines, a 29-year-old man was attacked by a crocodile. The drama played out in front of witnesses who tried to warn the tourist, but to no avail.
According to the "Daily Mail," the man climbed into the enclosure to take a selfie with the crocodile. As he entered the water, he smiled and took out his smartphone. At that moment, the reptile, named Lalay, attacked the tourist, dragging him into the water and biting his arm and thigh.
The man was trapped for about 30 minutes. 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.
Did he think the crocodile was made of plastic?
The injured tourist was immediately taken to the hospital, where he received over 50 stitches on his arm and thigh.
Media reports suggest that 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 emphasized that such behavior is extremely dangerous and that no one should enter animal enclosures at a zoo. "The tourist was lucky to survive," said Sajolga. He also noted that there were staff members 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.
