A 29-year-old tourist was mauled by a crocodile after entering its enclosure at Kabug Mangrove Park and Wetlands Zoo in Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines, on 28 April 2025.
The man, identified as Eric Saladaga Vista, mistook the 4.5-metre female crocodile named Lalay for a statue.
He climbed over a chain-link fence and waded into a shallow pool, intending to take selfies with what he thought was a lifeless display, reported NZ Herald.
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Crocodile Attacks Tourist
As Vista posed for photos, Lalay suddenly lunged, clamping her jaws around his arm.
Startled visitors screamed warnings, but within seconds, the crocodile bit into his thigh and spun into a violent death roll. The death roll is a manoeuvre crocodiles use to subdue prey, and Vista was seen being tossed from side to side in the water.
Rescue and Medical Treatment
Vista remained trapped in the enclosure for roughly 30 minutes.
Lalay’s handler eventually intervened, entering the pen and striking the crocodile on the head with a piece of cement. This forced Lalay to release her grip.
Paramedics arrived soon after and treated Vista’s wounds before rushing him to the hospital.
He received more than 50 stitches for deep injuries to his arm and thigh.
Police and Witness Statements
Police Staff Sergeant Joel Sajolga of Siay Municipal Police confirmed that Vista had mistaken the crocodile for a decorative statue because it was lying so still.
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“He climbed the fence and entered the enclosure, and the crocodile attacked him,” Sajolga said.
“This kind of behaviour is very dangerous. Nobody should ever enter an animal enclosure. He’s very lucky to be alive.”
Despite the presence of several zoo staff, no one stopped the man before he breached the fence.
The zoo has not issued a statement about the incident.
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