Crocodile handler dies after being attacked on video at wildlife park: report

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (WKRC) – A crocodile handler reportedly died after he was attacked in a fenced enclosure at a wildlife park on Saturday.

According to a report from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), a worker died after being attacked by a crocodile in a fenced enclosure at Adventure Park at Port Moresby on Saturday.

Video of the attack shows the worker hanging to the side of a pool with the crocodile behind him, its jaws around his legs. Following the attack, the victim was taken to an area hospital for treatment, but the outlet was informed that he died from his injuries at around 7 a.m. Sunday.

The video of the incident shows a crowd gathering outside the fence, with one individual offering the man a pole while another entered the enclosure to offer assistance.

Gibson John, an eyewitness at the scene, told the ABC that the man was attacked while he was trying to feed the crocodile.

“He brought chicken to the fence and the crocodile attacked the person and tried to bring him into the pool,” John told the outlet.

John further stated that “we couldn’t assist at the time, but I managed to contact the St. John’s ambulance,” per the report.

The witness further stated that the crocodile had the victim’s legs in its jaws for over an hour before help arrived at the scene.

“He was in severe pain, but he couldn’t scream. He couldn’t speak properly at that time. It was the pain I could see from his eyes,” John recalled hearing when speaking with the ABC. “The only thing I could hear him say was, ‘I haven’t done anything wrong.’”

According to the ABC, visitors were rushed out of the park, and police reportedly shot the crocodile before the man was freed.

John told the outlet that the man lost a leg before he was taken to the hospital.

The outlet’s report notes that Adventure Park regularly holds crocodile feeding demonstrations, which involve staff members interacting closely with reptiles.

The park is closed until further notice, per the report.