A man in Australia broke into a zoo and climbed onto the back of a crocodile named Fatso, which bit him on the leg but then let him go.
Police said they’re surprised the croc didn’t inflict worse damage. The 36-year-old man, who police said had just been thrown out of a pub for being drunk, told officials he scaled the barbed wire fence surrounding the Broome Crocodile Park in remote northwest Australia because he wanted to give Fatso a pat.
“He attempted to sit on its back and the croc took offense to that, span around and bit him on the right leg,” said Police Sgt. Roger Haynes.
The saltwater crocodile then inexplicably let the man go, and he climbed back over the fence to safety.
The man, who was a tourist from eastern Australia, suffered some very nasty lacerations and was taken to a hospital.
“Saltwater crocodiles, once they get hold of you, are not renowned for letting you go. He’s lucky to have escaped with his life,” said Sgt. Haynes.
Saltwater crocodiles have become increasingly common in Australia’s tropical north since hunting that almost extinguished the species was banned in 1971.
Source: www.ap.org
