A 29-year-old man was injured after he was bitten by a crocodile inside the animal’s enclosure at a public park in Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Police said the man allegedly jumped into the cage after he mistook the crocodile for a toy.

His relatives said he is suffering from a mental illness.

“Aware yung mga tao doon na talagang may buwaya nandoon sa loob ng cage and sabi naman ng mga kamag-anak na may problema nga po sa pag-iisip at napagkamalan nga po talaga niya na laruan yung nandoon sa cage kaya tumalon po siya sa loob,” Police Regional Office-Zamboanga (PRO-9) Spokesperson, Major Shellamie Chang, said.

A video footage showed the crocodile biting the man’s leg and thrashing him.

The crocodile released the man later when the owner struck the steel fence with a piece of wood.

The man was rescued and given first aid before he was rushed to the hospital. He sustained injuries in his right leg and arms and is now in stable condition.

The owner of the crocodile also reportedly committed to assist with the man’s medical expenses.

The man’s uncle raised concerns about safety measures at the facility, noting the ease of access to the enclosure.

“Nakita nako sa ila fencing, not very safe. Anyone can climb and jump in. There should be also security guard in place who can look after the people who are coming to see the place,” the man’s uncle said.

However, a crocodile expert said the facility has been compliant and has met safety standards.

“Yung facility po nila is standard and compliant naman sa lahat ng security features. What we want to include for the additional safety baka pwedeng lagyan pa ng isang perimeter fence na mahaba just to make them the viewers na hindi siya agad makapasok,” Crocodylus Porosus Philippines Inc. Program Director, Rainer Manalo, said.

Because of the incident, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Zamboanga (DENR-9) closed the park temporarily for assessment.

“Sine-secure po ang ating crocodile at in-assess and for the meantime sinirado muna ang lugar sa mga tao. Ngayon pinag-usapan para paigtingin yung dapat pang gawin para hindi na maulit ang insidente,” DENR-9 Director, Arturo Fadriquela, said.