Crocodile Attacks Tourist Mistakenly Entering Enclosure at Philippines Zoo.

A 29-year-old tourist in the Philippines climbed into a crocodile enclosure at a zoo, mistaking the predator for a statue. The female crocodile, Lalay, attacked, biting the man's arm and thigh. The attack lasted for 30 minutes before the handler intervened, and the tourist received over 50 stitches. Police condemned the tourist's reckless behavior, calling it "very dangerous." An investigation is ongoing.

In a disturbing incident that has raised safety concerns in the tourism industry, a 29-year-old tourist in the Philippines climbed into a crocodile enclosure at a zoo, mistaking the predator for a statue. The female crocodile, named Lalay, attacked, biting the man's arm and thigh. The attack lasted for 30 minutes before the handler intervened, and the tourist received over 50 stitches [1][2].

The incident occurred at the Kabug Island Mangrove and Wetlands Park in Zamboanga Sibugay province on April 28. The man, identified by local media, climbed over a chain-link fence with a cell phone in hand, believing the crocodile to be a plastic fixture. A video obtained by ViralPress shows the man posing for photos, smiling, and even attempting to touch the crocodile, which is believed to be a 10-foot-long female named Lalay [1][2].

The attack was brutal. Lalay, a known predator, charged towards the man, sinking her fangs deep into his arm and then grabbing his thigh. The crocodile attempted a deadly death roll, a tactic used by many types of crocodilian species to kill prey and tear it apart for consumption. The attack lasted for 30 minutes, with the tourist trapped in the enclosure. Lalay's handler eventually intervened, using a piece of cement to bash the crocodile on the head, causing her to loosen her grip and freeing the victim [1][2].

The tourist was taken to Dr. George T. Hofer Memorial Hospital, where he received more than 50 stitches. Police officers condemned the tourist's reckless behavior, calling it "very dangerous." They noted that the man put other people's lives at risk and was lucky to have survived [1][2].

The incident highlights the importance of safety measures in zoos and the need for visitors to respect wildlife enclosures. It also underscores the potential risks associated with tourist activities that involve close interactions with wild animals. An investigation into the incident is still ongoing [1][2].

References:
[1] https://people.com/tourist-bitten-by-crocodile-while-taking-selfie-because-he-thought-animal-was-fake-11727789
[2] https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/tourist-in-philippines-zoo-attacked-by-crocodile-after-mistaking-it-for-a-statue-8325708