A shocking and terrifying incident unfolded at the Kabug Mangrove Park and Wetlands Zoo on April 28, when a 29-year-old visitor fell victim to a vicious attack by Lalay, a 15-foot-long crocodile. The man had entered the crocodile’s enclosure, thinking he was photographing a lifelike plastic decoration.
In a chilling twist, he soon found himself trapped for a heart-stopping 30 minutes as the massive croc, camouflaged by its realistic design, ambushed him. The unsuspecting visitor was left struggling for his life after failing to recognize the danger lurking in plain sight.
In a reckless display of disregard for safety, the man ignored the clear warning signs and safety barriers at the zoo, scaling the fence and stepping into the shallow pool to position himself near the crocodile for a selfie.
Spectators, horrified by his actions, screamed for him to stop, but the man pressed on, oblivious to the impending danger. In a flash, Lalay, the 15-foot-long crocodile, lunged at him, sinking her powerful jaws into his arm.
The park erupted with the sound of his agonizing screams as Lalay dragged him beneath the surface. Around him, onlookers pleaded for him to stop, but his stubborn determination to capture the perfect selfie only sealed his fate.
The man’s reckless persistence only escalated the danger as Lalay, using her raw power, sank her teeth into his thigh before initiating the deadly “death roll”—a crocodile’s characteristic attack on prey. It wasn’t until the man had been trapped in the enclosure for nearly 30 minutes that the zookeepers arrived, but the situation remained perilous.
The handler, struggling to control the situation, resorted to using cement to strike Lalay around her head, providing a brief window of opportunity for rescuers to pull the man to safety. But by then, the visitor had suffered severe blood loss and multiple deep wounds. Rushed to the emergency room, medical staff worked tirelessly, stitching him up 50 times. Despite the extent of his injuries, doctors confirmed he had no life-threatening wounds or broken bones.
Staff Sergeant Joel Sajolga from Siay Municipal Police later condemned the tourist’s reckless actions, pointing out that the man had mistook the crocodile for a fake plastic statue while roaming the zoo. Ignoring safety protocols, he had crossed into the enclosure, triggering the attack.
His dangerous decision not only endangered his own life but also put other visitors at risk. Despite multiple zoo workers being present at the time, none were able to prevent his entry into the animal area. This incident serves as a stark reminder: visitors must stay clear of animal exhibits to ensure their own safety and that of others at zoological parks.
In response to the incident, the zoo has launched a procedural investigation. Local resident Canete Jie expressed his shock, stating to journalists that the man’s survival was purely by chance, as the crocodile had seemingly allowed him to leave unharmed.
“The decision to enter the area was utterly irrational,” Jie remarked. “Several bystanders filmed the man as he casually walked into the exposed water area and knelt near Lalay, who remained motionless. He believed she was just a fake crocodile, not realizing the danger she posed.”
This misconception led the visitor to treat the crocodile as nothing more than a statue. In light of the attack, zoo management has bolstered security measures around the enclosures and is urging all visitors to strictly adhere to warning signs and safety barriers to prevent future incidents. The zoo’s commitment to ensuring safety is now more vital than ever.
Medical professionals continue treatment of the unnamed tourist who receives care in the hospital under expectation of complete recovery.
