Tourist Bitten by Crocodile Because He Thought the Animal Was Fake

A zoo visit in the Philippines turned into a terrifying ordeal after a man climbed into a crocodile enclosure to take photos—and was immediately attacked.

The 29-year-old man, visiting Kabug Island Mangrove and Wetlands Park in Zamboanga Sibugay province, reportedly scaled a chain-link fence with his phone in hand on April 28. According to police, he believed the crocodile was fake and thought it would be a cool photo opportunity.

He couldn’t have been more wrong.

Video footage captured by onlookers and obtained by ViralPress shows the moment the crocodile—an adult female named Lalay—lunged at the man, clamping down on his arm. Onlookers screamed as the reptile dragged him into shallow water and began performing a brutal “death roll,” twisting and thrashing the man while he cried out in pain.

“He thought it was just a plastic fixture,” Police Staff Sergeant Joel Sajolga told local media. “He climbed the fence and entered the enclosure, and the crocodile attacked him.”

The man, described as “mentally impaired” by the Manila Bulletin, remained trapped in Lalay’s jaws until a brave zookeeper stepped in. The keeper reportedly entered the enclosure with a piece of concrete and struck the crocodile, forcing her to release the victim.

Paramedics rushed the man to Dr. George T. Hofer Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for severe bites to his right arm and leg. According to reports, he needed more than 50 stitches.

Authorities say this kind of reckless behavior could have ended much worse.

“This kind of behavior is very dangerous,” Sajolga added. “Nobody should ever enter an animal’s enclosure at the zoo. He put his life—and others’—at serious risk. He’s lucky to be alive.”

The crocodile, Lalay, remains in her enclosure, and an investigation into the incident is ongoing. Zoo officials have not yet announced whether additional safety measures will be put in place, but the viral footage serves as a chilling reminder: never underestimate a wild animal—especially one with jaws built to kill.