What started as a casual zoo visit turned into a nightmare for a 29-year-old tourist who foolishly entered a crocodile enclosure for a photo. The April 28 attack at Kabug Mangrove Park and Wetlands Zoo left the man fighting for his life after a 15-foot crocodile named Lalay clamped down on him.
Eyewitnesses say the man ignored multiple warnings, convinced the massive reptile was a plastic model. He climbed over barriers and stepped into the shallow pool, positioning himself just feet away from Lalay. Seconds later, the crocodile struck, biting his arm and dragging him beneath the water.
Panicked screams filled the air as onlookers watched the struggle unfold. Lalay intensified the attack, gripping the man’s thigh and performing a brutal “death roll.” Zookeepers fought to intervene, but the crocodile’s strength made rescue efforts difficult. After a harrowing half-hour, handlers used cement blocks to distract Lalay, allowing emergency personnel to pull the victim to safety.
The man suffered deep lacerations and lost a significant amount of blood. Medical teams needed 50 stitches to close his wounds, yet miraculously, he avoided life-threatening injuries.
Staff Sergeant Joel Sajolga didn’t mince words: “This was an act of sheer recklessness. Zoos have rules for a reason—wild animals are not toys.”
The zoo has since increased security and reiterated the importance of following safety guidelines. Meanwhile, the tourist remains hospitalized, serving as a cautionary tale for others who might underestimate the dangers of wild animals.
