Harrowing footage captured the moment a crocodile scaled a fence at a wildlife park as visitors were warned to prepare to run.
Onlookers were left in shock as they watched the incident unfold at Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park in Broome, Western Australia.
The saltwater crocodile tried to climb a wire fence at the sanctuary, which is home to around 600 crocodiles and alligators.
At the time, a ranger was feeding the creatures pieces of meat and warned visitors to be prepared to flee.
A short time later, the crocodile climbed down from the fence and entered its enclosure again.
Tour guide Owen Douglas said it was not uncommon to see crocodiles trying to climb the fence.
“Often these crocodiles are extremely aggressive, so it’s quite common for a crocodile to climb up the feeding area like that in the park,” he said. 9News.
Mr Douglas dismissed any concerns for the safety of visitors and rangers.
Onlookers were left in shock as they watched the incident unfold at Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park in Broome, in northern Western Australia.
The saltwater crocodile tried to climb a wire fence at the sanctuary, which is home to about 600 crocodiles and alligators.
“We’re all very well trained out there, we all know what we’re doing,” he said.
“I’m sure the tourists are secretly hoping that one of the tour guide’s arms will be torn off, but unfortunately for them, that’s not going to happen.”
The park provides a space for “problem crocodiles,” a term used to describe crocodiles that are considered a risk to public safety.
Some crocodiles measure up to four meters long.
Mr Douglas said the crocodile park provides the creatures with a safe place to live.
“Ideally, these crocodiles would be free, but they have been saved from being killed,” he said.