Worker suffers bite from crocodile at Queensland’s Billabong Sanctuary

An Australian worker has been bitten by a crocodile in front of a horrified crowd of zoo visitors, but the sanctuary owner says it wasn’t an “attack”.

A worker at a Queensland wildlife sanctuary has suffered a crocodile bite while presenting a show to zoo visitors.

The presenter from Billabong Sanctuary in Nome was bitten on his middle finger while feeding a two-metre crocodile named Junior at 3.15pm on Monday.

He is now in hospital over the incident after a registered nurse treated him at the scene.

Like many Australian Zoos, Billabong Sanctuary feeds its crocodiles in front of an audience. (stock image) Photo: Facebook

The incident was described as “minor” by sanctuary owner Bob Flemming.

“This was not a “crocodile attack”. The ranger was not inside the enclosure but in the airlock adjacent to the enclosure where feeding takes place,” Mr Flemming said.

“Jumping to be fed is the normal routine for feeding this crocodile and the incident was purely a consequence of bad timing.”

Billabong Sanctuary will conduct a “thorough investigation” into the incident but there will be “no ramifications” for the crocodile.

“We all wish the ranger a complete and speedy recovery,” Mr Flemming said.