Terrifying moment deadly croc tries to CLIMB out of enclosure during feeding frenzy as onlookers told ‘be ready to flee’
THIS is the heart stopping moment a crocodile scaled a fenced enclosure.
The shocking footage shows the prehistoric predator climbing a fence during a feeding frenzy at a wildlife park in West Australia.
Shocked visitors were told to prepare to run as they filmed the aggressive reptile.
The incident unfolded at the Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park in Broome, which is home to more than 600 crocodiles and alligators.
A ranger had been feeding the creatures chunks of meat at the time of its attempted escape.
The beast then climbed back down from the fence and into its enclosure a short time later.
Speaking to 9News, tour guide Owen Douglas said it wasn’t unusual to see crocodiles trying to climb over the fence.
He said: “Often these crocodiles are extremely aggressive so for a crocodile to climb over the feeding bay like that, is something somewhat common at the park.”
Mr Douglas brushed aside any concerns for the safety of visitors and rangers.
He said: “We’re all really well trained out there, we all know what we’re doing.”
“I’m sure that the tourists are secretly hoping one of the tour guide’s arms gets taken off, but unfortunately for them [it] won’t happen.
The park provides a space for ‘problem crocs’, a term used to describe crocodiles that are deemed to be a risk to public safety.
Douglas said: “These crocodiles should still be in the wild, they should not have been in captivity, but the reason they’re in there is they’ve been saved from being killed for being problem crocodiles in the wild.”
Earlier this month, a 12-year-old girl was snatched by a crocodile while swimming in a creek in the Northern Territory, Australia.
Cops said the child was last seen swimming in Mango Creek before the alarm was raised.
A frantic search was launched amid fears she had been attacked by a croc.
On Thursday morning, police tragically confirmed her remains had been found after a 36-hour hunt.
Cops described the scene as “particularly gruesome”.
Northern Territory Police Senior Sergeant Erica Gibson said: “This morning, as a result of searching intensively overnight, the remains of the missing child were located in the riverway.
“It was particularly gruesome and a sad, devastating outcome. It was extremely difficult for the first responders involved in the search.
“As awful as the outcome is, it’s been an incredible effort from the people involved. I certainly would commend the actions of everyone involved.
“They were diligent and work relentlessly. However, for the family, it’s the most devastating outcome possible for them.”
It’s not the first time a croc has posed a threat to reptile park rangers.
A female keeper was mauled by a 16ft crocodile at a reptile park tourist attraction last year.
The 34-year-old was taken to hospital after she was attacked while working at Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin.
A tourist said he overheard staff discussing the attack and “apparently there was a lot of blood”.
The former staff member said it was the first time the massive croc had attacked an employee.
According to National Geographic, saltwater crocodiles have the greatest bite force measured for living animals.
Saltwater crocodiles can slam their jaws shut with 3,700 pounds per square inch (psi), or 16,460 newtons, of bite force.
By contrast, you might tear into a steak with 150 to 200 psi (890 newtons).
Hyenas, lions, and tigers generate around 1,000 psi (4,450 newtons).
Saltwater crocodiles are larger and more dangerous and aggressive to humans and can grow up to 6 metres in length.
Freshwater crocodiles can reach up to 3 metres in length and have been known to attack people.
Five facts about the saltwater crocodile
- Saltwater crocodiles are the largest crocodile species in the world, and the largest living reptile in the world. Other species of crocodile include: Nile Crocodile, American Crocodile, Freshwater Crocodile, Gharial Crocodile and the American Alligator.
- Male saltwater crocodiles have been recorded at lengths of 23 feet (7 m). Females are much smaller, growing to be about 10 feet (3 m) long. The worlds largest crocodile, Cassius, resides in a wildlife park in Queensland, Australia.
- Saltwater crocodiles communicate using several sounds, including barking, hissing, growling and chirps.
- Crocodiles are as old as dinosaurs. Saltwater Crocodiles are one of the oldest creatures to walk the planet. They first appeared over 240 million years ago, during the time of the dinosaurs. While others have evolved into different shapes and forms, the crocs stuck have stuck to the same structure for the last 200 million years.
- Crocodiles lay eggs. Saltwater Crocodiles breed during the wet season, and females can lay up to 50 eggs, which they build nests for along the nearby river banks. The eggs incubate for around 3 months before hatching. Only 1 per cent of hatchlings survive into adulthood.