Shocking moment when a crocodile feeding session ends in horror as the beast launches itself at a ranger
- Ranger bitten by crocodile in ‘minor’ incident
- Witnessed by visitors to the Billabong Sanctuary
- It’s not the first time a ranger has been bitten
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The horrific moment a two-metre crocodile lunged at a forest ranger and bit him was caught on camera by shocked tourists.
The young ranger has spent a second night in hospital after a crocodile feeding session at the famous Billabong Sanctuary near Townsville in north Queensland went horribly wrong.
The Monday afternoon feeding session started like any other, with the ranger introducing the spectators to Junior.
Footage shows Junior waiting for his meal in his enclosure before launching himself at the ranger and grabbing onto a finger.
The shocked ranger shouted expletives as the crocodile attacked, writhing in pain.
This is the terrifying moment Junior the crocodile launched himself at a sanctuary ranger as shocked visitors looked on
‘He was in shock. It looked like he didn’t want to look at his hand,” visitor Kate Javie told Nine News.
“My friends ran to the front desk to warn them and get some first aid supplies to help stop the bleeding.”
“He apologized to us, but we really felt for him.”
The 25-year-old ranger was taken to hospital in stable condition, where he continues to recover.
Queensland Ambulance Service acting senior operations supervisor David Cole said the ranger was in “good spirits” despite the harrowing ordeal, adding he was “a very happy man”.
Ms Javie hopes the shelter will learn lessons from the incident in the hope it never happens again.
Billabong Sanctuary has described Monday’s ordeal as a ‘minor’ incident
The daily crocodile feeding session is a must-see for visitors to the Billabong Sanctuary
Billabong Sanctuary owner Bob Flemming said a thorough investigation will review the “minor incident.”
“This was not a ‘crocodile attack.’ The ranger was not in the enclosure, but in the airlock next to the enclosure where the feeding takes place,” a statement said.
‘Jumping to be fed is the normal routine when feeding this crocodile and the incident was purely a result of bad timing.’
Mr. Fleming added that there will be no consequences for Junior.”
“We all wish the ranger a full and speedy recovery.”
The latest incident comes months after visitors were evacuated after a 3.8 meter crocodile escaped an enclosure and had to be recaptured.
In 2016, an 8-foot crocodile latched onto a handler’s arm in front of visitors during a routine feeding session.
The daily feeding sessions are one of the most popular activities at the shelter.
“Rangers lure our mighty estuarine crocodiles out of the water with an amazing display of speed and strength as our crocodiles enjoy their afternoon feeding session,” the website says.
The ranger (pictured just after he was bitten) is still in hospital
