Crocodile handler mauled at zoo in Australia (video)

A crocodile attacked a handler as tourists looked on in horror at a zoo in Australia.

Renee Robertson, 25, was mauled by the animal during a feeding show at Billabong Sanctuary in Townsville.

See also: Boy rescued from jaws of crocodile

See also: Girl, 5, killed by crocodile while crossing river


The two-metre crocodile, named Tipper, cornered her before lunging and grabbing her arm.

She can be heard crying out before a colleague fights it back with a stick.

According to the Courier Mail, one witness said: "The screams you could hear were shocking, we felt so helpless for the poor woman in the enclosure.

"There were quite a few people watching the show, and we were all just in shock.

"Luckily the girl was only attacked by the small female crocodile that was about 2m long; there was a larger male one near the water that was twice as big."

The Guardian reports that Senior Queensland ambulance operations supervisor Ross MacDonald said the woman had been "backed into a corner somehow and the crocodile had a go at her".

He added: "She was actually fully conscious on arrival. Our paramedics just stabilised her with pain relief and intravenous fluid and transported her through to Townsville hospital."

Bob Flemming, the owner of the sanctuary, said Ms Robertson had undergone surgery to repair serious injuries to her arm, and the last he had heard she was sitting up "enjoying an ice block".

According to the Daily Telegraph, he confirmed that the crocodile would not be put down.

He said: "It was a very unfortunate incident and one that we're very sad about. As Tipper is a crocodile, she's certainly not going to be euthanised but we'll review our training procedures and make sure it never happens again."