A zoo keeper blames himself for a near-death experience with a crocodile which ended with his thumb being ripped off - although he does admit that he has very scant memories of the traumatic event. The owner of the reptile park, Ian Jenkins, was grabbed by a crocodile whilst performing in front of a large crowd,  at Snakes Downunder Reptile Park and Zoo near Childers, south of Bundaberg,far north Queensland . In extremely distressing scenes, the 58-year-old was dragged into the pond at which point the four-metre croc ‘Macca’ started a death roll. Thanks to the quick thinking of his fellow worker, Louise Smith, Jenkins escaped with his life.
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Victim Ian Jenkins is the owner of the Snakes Downunder Reptile Park Zoo
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His left thumb was bitten off as he tried to get croc's attention with a chicken
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He now blames himself and is annoyed with himself for his crucial mistakes
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Colleague Louise Smith who saved his life says she was 'just doing her job'
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She put her life on the line, wacking the crocodile on the head until he let go
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A terrified spectator shares her account of the distressing scenes
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Jenkins has already undergone several hours of surgery to reconstruct his mangled hand
Macca
This four-metre long crocodile '@placeholder' is responsible for the attack - although Mr Jenkins says he is responsible and fellow handler, Louise Smith, agrees that the croc is typically very docile
Macca
The hero was Ms Smith, insists she was just doing her job when she distracted @placeholder to free Jenkins