Tourist mistakes real crocodile for a statue and gets mauled while trying to take selfie with it (video)

A clueless tourist found himself in a terrifying situation after he climbed into a crocodile’s enclosure to take selfies, only to be attacked by the reptile. 

The 29-year-old man reportedly mistook the 15ft reptile for a statue at a zoo in Barangay Laih, Siay town in Zamboanga Sibugay province, located in the southern region of the Philippines. 

He scaled a chain-link fence and waded through water before pulling out his smartphone for a selfie. 

Bystanders watched in horror as they yelled at the man to get out when the female crocodile, named Lalay, lunged towards him, sinking her teeth deep into his arm. 

Chilling footage reveals the tourist screaming in agony as the predator clamped her jaws around his arm, refusing to let him escape from the enclosure in Zamboanga Sibugay on April 28. She then bit onto his thigh and rolled over multiple times in an attempt to maim him in a brutal death roll – a vicious technique used by crocodiles to rip their prey apart. 
 

It is reported the tourist was trapped in the pen, writhing in pain for up to 30 minutes before Lalay’s caretaker risked his life to rescue him. The reptile handler allegedly hit a piece of cement onto Lalay’s head, causing her to release her grip. 

Medical personnel quickly wrapped the visitor’s injured arm and thigh with cloth to stop the bleeding before rushing him to a hospital for treatment. He received more than 50 stitches. 

Police Staff Sergeant Joel Sajolga of the Siay Municipal Police stated: “The tourist was walking around the area, then he saw the crocodile, which he thought was just a plastic fixture. 

“He scaled the fence and trespassed into the enclosure, where he was attacked by the crocodile.” 

The constable revealed that despite several zookeepers being on duty at the Kabug Mangrove Park and Wetlands zoo, they were unable to prevent the tourist from crossing the barrier. 

He further warned: “This kind of behaviour is extremely risky. No one should ever venture into an animal’s enclosure at a zoo. He endangered others and is fortunate to have made it out alive.” 

Eyewitnesses who filmed the act reported that the man waded through the shallow water to strike poses next to the reptile for photographs. It is believed that he mistook Lalay for a life-size statue due to her motionless state. 

Bystander Canete Jie said: “I can’t fathom why he would do something so senseless, but I’m relieved that the man survived and the crocodile released him. His leg wasn’t fractured, but he sustained injuries to his arm and thigh.”

Watch video below.