Crocodile attack

Veterinarian Chang Po-Yu lost his arm to the jaws of a saltwater crocodile in Shaoshan zoo in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on April 11, 2007. The vet's forearm was bitten clean through when he reached through iron railings to remove a tranquilizer dart from the 440 lb (200 kg) reptile. Two bullets were immediately shot into the neck of the crocodile, which then droppped the arm. But this story has a doubly remarkable ending. First, the crocodile was unharmed by the gunshots as the bullets didn't penetrate its hide, they merely shocked the croc into opening its mouth; and second, a team of surgeons operated for seven hours to reattach the arm- successfully!

What was it like, Mr. Chang?

"I am a veterinarian and a director of the zoo. Wehn I anesthetized and treated the crocodile, the animal took my left hand away suddenly. It was a huge shock in my mine, my limb felt pretty numb. My left arm caused extreme pain, but I told myself that I must live, I want to take my arm back, and do my best to connect it again.


My associate helped me to stop bleeding by pressing on the top of the arm until the ambulance came. When I was on the way to the hospital, the police helped me to take my arm back from the crocodile's mouth.


Right now it's still hard for me to accept this serious damage. I have gone through six large operations and countless small operations. At present, my left arm has no sensation, and the injury is still in the process of recovery- for atleast two years. Although I cant work right now, I still hope that I could continue to work in the administration or management of the zoo, the treatment of animals... and so on, in the future."