- The Nile crocodile is the largest reptile in the world and has the most powerful bite
A shocked crocodile trainer almost lost his manhood when a 15ft beast bit him between the legs after being poked with a stick in his enclosure.
The experienced reptile expert was giving a demonstration to dozens of visitors at Crocodile Creek theme park, just north of Durban, South Africa, when he was violently attacked.
The Nile crocodile – the largest living reptile with the strongest biting force in the world – suddenly turned its head and clamped its jaws on him.
The shocked handler screamed as he saw the predator latch onto him just below his waist and pull him to the ground while a second, slightly smaller crocodile ran to join the attack.
Horrified tourists screamed for help as the giant crocodile kept the master pinned to the ground, but he managed to get up and the 64-toothed beast released, allowing him to run to safety.
The handler was filmed poking the reptile several times with a stick before it suddenly turned its head and attacked him.
Footage taken by a spectator captures the moment the dog handler is beaten inside the attraction in Ballito, Kwa-Zulu Natal province.
He was said to have suffered serious leg injuries and was rushed to Victoria Hospital to receive emergency stitches.
A tourist who witnessed the attack told emergency services who ran to help that the handler had both hands on his groin and joked: “Don’t hold them, count them!”
A crocodile expert, who asked to remain anonymous but viewed the footage, said: “The crocodile was just giving him a warning. If he wanted to kill him, believe me, it easily could have.
“Where he was very lucky was that the second crocodile that rushed in didn’t bite him as if it had, so they could have fought for him in a fierce fight and the rip.
“Looks like it was the trainer’s lucky day and this crocodile was just a little grumpy,” she said.
The South African Response Unit, which provides 24-hour security and medical support, arrived at the scene and found staff had already taken the handler for A&E treatment.
A staff member told them: “He had a serious injury to his right leg, right next to his genitals.
The crocodile seemed to lose patience with his master after being pushed several times by him, and he threw him to the ground.
“If it was a little higher, its future manifestations might have been a little sharp!”
In September 2022, Crocodile Creek manager Sean Le Clus was also attacked while sitting at the back of their main attraction Hannibal, which is also a massive 5m long Nile crocodile.
It is unclear whether the last attack was also carried out by Hannibal, but Sean got off the giant crocodile’s back as a female approached, but it flipped his jaw and ravaged his leg.
Fortunately, the crocodile also let go and Sean, who screamed in pain, limped off to get medical help for a number of deep teeth marks in his leg.
Despite his injuries, he managed to return to work the same day.
Nile crocodiles can grow to 25 feet, run and swim at over 20 mph, and weigh up to 2,000 pounds. It is an ambush predator responsible for the deaths of thousands of humans per year.
A spokesperson for Crocodile Creek said: “While I am pleased that the employee managed to escape and is currently stable, we are concerned about the breach of protocols at the time.
“When someone enters the pond to make an exposure, we require that they be accompanied by another employee to monitor the situation and provide assistance if necessary,” he said.
The video went viral on Facebook and Sharon Moodley said: “Why would anyone provoke a wild animal? If you encourage them to react well, they will certainly react!’
Maracia Geldenhuys said: “Well, what do you expect? He worried the crocodile even though he was in a peaceful state. It is a wild animal after all. There is bound to be some sort of reaction.
Anthony Joubuert, 37, a father of three, was attacked at a dam 360 miles away in Middleburg while fishing with his son
Some of the injuries Anthony Joubuert suffered in another crocodile attack in South Africa last week
Last week, Anthony Joubuert, 37, a father of three, was attacked at a dam 360 miles away in Middleburg while fishing with his son when a crocodile lunged at him.
Although in only an inch of water, it flipped him over and swallowed both his legs up to his waist and dragged him into deep water when his boss Johan van der Colff, 36, intervened.
Johan grabbed his belt and began a fierce struggle as Anthony’s brave wife, Annalize, 33, grabbed a tree root and bashed the 13-foot beast over the head until its leg to go away.
Johan is recovering in hospital from four horrific injuries and, like the Crocodile Creek handler, also almost lost his private part and will take months to recover.
