THIS is the horror moment a dopey tourist is ravaged by a 15 foot crocodile after climbing into the reptile’s cage to snap some selfies.
Mistaking the cold-blooded beast for a statue – the 29-year-old male visitor pulled the stunt in front of petrified onlookers in the .
He reportedly climbed over a chain-link fence and waded through a shallow pool of water before taking out his mobile with a large grin.
But moments later the fun photo shoot stopped – as the disturbed sank her fangs into the photographer’s arm.
Named Lalay, the angry female started to her victim in front of terrified bystanders.
Gruesome footage showed the wailing in agony as the predator locks her jaws around his limb and refuses to let go.
The then tosses and turns around in the shallow water, throwing her victim from side to side.
Flipping targets over like this is a savage method used by crocs to tear prey apart – and is known as a .
For extended periods of time the ruthless beast appears to sit still, clamping down on the tourist while he is subject to the torturous ordeal.
The horrifying attack took place at the Kabug Mangrove Park and Wetlands zoo, in Zamboanga Sibugay in the south the country on April 28.
The selfie-taker was reportedly trapped in the pen for up to 30 minutes before Lalay’s caretaker risked his own life by climbing inside and rescuing him.
The reptile-tamer is believed to have slammed a piece of cement onto Lalay’s noggin, prompting her to loosen her vicious grip.
Aftermath footage showed medics desperately wrapping the visitor’s wounded arm and thigh with cloth.
He was then rushed to hospital and received over 50 stitches.
Local Sergeant Joel Sajolga confirmed the attack and explained the situation.
The cop said: “The tourist was walking around the area, then he saw the , which he thought was just a plastic fixture.
“He climbed the fence and entered the enclosure, and the crocodile attacked him.”;
Police also said there were several zookeepers present at the zoo, but none of them intervened when the tourist from breached the fence.
He added that the foolish man’s behaviour was “dangerous”; and that the he “put other people’s lives at risk”;.
Locals who recorded the reckless stunt said the man waded through the shallow to pose alongside the reptile for a harmless selfie.
It is believed that he mistook Lalay for a life-size model because of how still she was.
Onlooker Canete Jie said: “I don’t know why he would do such a stupid thing, but I’m glad the man is alive and the crocodile just let him go.
“His leg wasn’t broken, but he suffered arm and thigh wounds.”;
