A tourist’s quest for the ultimate selfie nearly cost him his life when he climbed into a crocodile enclosure at Kabug Mangrove Park and Wetlands Zoo. The incident, which occurred on April 28, left the 29-year-old man with severe injuries after a terrifying 30-minute struggle with a 15-foot crocodile named Lalay.
The man, whose name has not been released, reportedly mistook the massive reptile for a plastic decoration. Ignoring safety barriers and warning signs, he climbed over the fence and waded into the shallow pool to take photos. Witnesses shouted at him to stop, but he continued, kneeling dangerously close to the crocodile.
In a split second, Lalay lunged, clamping her powerful jaws onto the man’s arm. The park echoed with his screams as the crocodile dragged him underwater. Despite the chaos, the man persisted in his attempt to free himself—only for Lalay to bite his thigh and begin a deadly “death roll,” a maneuver crocodiles use to subdue prey.
Zookeepers rushed to the scene but struggled to intervene immediately. After tense minutes, a handler managed to distract Lalay by striking her head with a piece of cement, creating just enough time for rescuers to pull the man to safety.
The victim suffered deep lacerations and significant blood loss, requiring 50 stitches. Miraculously, he survived without life-threatening injuries or broken bones.
Authorities criticized the man’s reckless behavior, emphasizing that zoo enclosures are strictly off-limits for a reason. Staff Sergeant Joel Sajolga of the Siay Municipal Police stated, “This was a clear case of poor judgment. Visitors must respect barriers—wild animals are not props for photos.”
The zoo has since reinforced security measures and reminded guests to heed warning signs. Meanwhile, the tourist remains hospitalized but is expected to recover fully—hopefully with a newfound respect for wildlife.
