A KZN crocodile handler is recovering in hospital after he was attacked on Sunday afternoon by a crocodile during a live show.
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) was dispatched to Crocodile Creek in Greylands, near Tongaat, after receiving reports that a crocodile handler had been attacked.
A video released by Rusa shows the handler stroking and then poking the crocodile with a wooden stick, before the crocodile turns and grabs him.
The handler managed to escape the jaws of the crocodile.
Crocodile Creek owner Peter Watson, said the handler was in a stable condition and being treated at the Victoria Hospital.
The handler suffered an extensive leg injury.
“I am relieved to know that the employee is making progress with his recovery and had managed to escape. I am, however, concerned about the violation of protocol. All the handlers know that when someone goes into the pond, we require them to have another employee standing by to monitor the situation,” Mr Watson said.