Tourist Mauled by Crocodile After Mistaking It for a Statue While Trying to Take a Selfie

A 29-year-old man visiting a zoo in the Philippines ended up in the jaws of a 15-foot crocodile after he climbed into the animal’s enclosure—believing it was a statue—and tried to take a selfie.

The incident happened on April 28 at Kabug Mangrove Park and Wetlands Zoo. According to witnesses, the man scaled a fence and waded into a shallow pool to get close to the crocodile, named Lalay, before pulling out his phone for a picture.

Despite bystanders shouting warnings, he ignored them and moved closer to the reptile. That’s when Lalay suddenly lunged, sinking her teeth into his arm. As the man screamed in pain, the crocodile clamped down again—this time on his thigh—and tried to perform a “death roll,” a violent spinning move used by crocs to subdue prey.

The tourist later told police he genuinely thought the crocodile was fake because it wasn’t moving. Zoo officials said he spent nearly 30 minutes trapped in the enclosure before help arrived.

An animal handler eventually intervened, reportedly striking the crocodile on the head with a piece of cement to get it to release the man. He was rushed to a hospital with deep bite wounds and received more than 50 stitches.

Staff Sergeant Joel Sajolga of the Siay Municipal Police stated, “The tourist mistook the crocodile for a plastic display. He climbed the fence and entered the enclosure, which led to the attack. This kind of behavior is extremely dangerous—not just for the individual, but for everyone nearby. He’s lucky to be alive.”

Police also noted that while several zoo staff were present, no one stopped the man from breaching the enclosure.

Witnesses expressed shock and disbelief. “We’re glad he survived, but we don’t know why he’d do something so reckless,” said one onlooker, Canete Jie.

Locals who captured the event on video said the crocodile had remained completely still, leading the man to think it was a lifelike model—until it struck.