What started out as a bizarre selfie stunt quickly turned into a horrifying ordeal when a tourist climbed into a crocodile enclosure, mistaking a massive 15-foot reptile for a harmless statue. Moments later, the truth became terrifyingly clear as the crocodile lunged at the man, all caught on camera in a moment that has since shocked the internet.

The incident occurred on April 28 at the Kabug Island Mangrove and Wetlands Park in Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines. It has triggered a social media storm, igniting conversations around zoo safety, the dangers of impulsive tourist behavior, and the importance of basic common sense when near wild animals.

According to reports, the 29-year-old man—whose identity remains undisclosed—was exploring the park when he noticed what he believed to be a life-sized plastic crocodile inside an enclosure. The reptile, later identified as a fully grown female named Lalay, was resting quietly at the time. Unfortunately, the man took this stillness as a sign that it was safe to approach.

“The tourist was walking through the area and saw the crocodile. He assumed it was a display or a statue,” explained Police Staff Sergeant Joel Sajolga of the Siay Municipal Police in an interview with local news, as reported by the Daily Mail.

Excited at what he thought would make a cool photo, the man pulled out his phone, climbed the fence, and entered the enclosure to take a selfie. Seconds later, the crocodile attacked. “He climbed into the enclosure with his phone, and that’s when the crocodile lunged at him,” Sajolga confirmed.

A video taken by another park visitor, Cañete Jie, shows the man smiling just moments before disaster struck. As he approached Lalay in the water, she suddenly turned her head, sprang forward, and sank her powerful jaws into his arm. What followed next was a textbook display of the crocodile’s infamous “death roll.”

The University of Tennessee describes this brutal move as a twisting motion that crocodiles use to dismember prey. Since crocodiles can’t chew, the death roll helps tear prey into smaller, manageable pieces. The maneuver is a defining characteristic of both crocodiles and alligators and is incredibly dangerous to humans.

The attack escalated as Lalay bit into the man’s thigh and continued to thrash him violently in the water. His screams pierced the air, echoing through the park. According to witnesses, he remained trapped in the enclosure for an excruciating 30 minutes, bleeding heavily and barely able to move as the crocodile maintained its grip.

It wasn’t until the park’s animal handler intervened—risking his own life—that the man was freed. The handler jumped into the enclosure and struck Lalay on the head with a concrete block, forcing her to let go. The terrifying rescue was confirmed by multiple witnesses and later reported by the Daily Mail.

“This behavior was reckless and incredibly dangerous,” Sajolga emphasized. “No visitor should ever enter an animal enclosure. This man endangered himself and others. He’s lucky to be alive.”

Paramedics arrived promptly and treated the man’s wounds, which included serious bites to his right arm and thigh. He was taken to Dr. George T. Hofer Memorial Hospital, where he received over 50 stitches, according to The Manila Bulletin via People.

Jie, who filmed the incident, expressed disbelief. “I honestly don’t know why anyone would do something that stupid. But I’m relieved he survived and that the crocodile eventually let go. His leg wasn’t broken, but his injuries were serious.”

While the man’s injuries were severe, many online commenters were more concerned about the crocodile. Critics flooded social media with messages condemning the tourist’s foolish actions, fearing they could lead to unnecessary consequences for Lalay.

“Poor Lalay! She was just minding her business when someone decided to invade her space,” one commenter wrote. “And then she gets hit on the head with cement? That’s heartbreaking. People can be so ignorant.”

Another added, “They should’ve knocked some sense into the guy instead of the crocodile. Hope Lalay’s okay. Too bad she didn’t take the whole arm.”

Yet another person remarked, “Calling this an attack is like saying a person who walks onto the freeway was attacked by a truck. That’s not an attack—that’s stupidity.”

Others made light of the absurdity of the situation. “The croc was just trying to help him get a better selfie angle,” one joked.

This disturbing event serves as a powerful reminder that wild animals are not attractions for human amusement. No matter how calm or still they seem, animals in enclosures are still dangerous and unpredictable. There’s a reason for the fences, warning signs, and rules. When ignored, those boundaries can quickly turn a moment of curiosity into a near-death experience.

The video has now gone viral, and people around the world are weighing in. Many are outraged, not only at the man’s senseless act but also at the broader issue of how humans treat wildlife and the lack of accountability in such situations.

Ultimately, this incident highlights the importance of respecting nature and exercising caution, especially in places where potentially lethal animals are housed. Ignoring the rules doesn’t make for a good story—it makes for a cautionary tale.

What are your thoughts on this shocking event? Share your opinion and spread the story so others can understand the real dangers of ignoring zoo safety rules.