Tragedy struck a reptile farm in Siem Reap on Friday when a Cambodian man was mauled to death by approximately 40 crocodiles. Luan Nam, a 72-year-old farmer, met his untimely demise after inadvertently falling into the enclosure while attempting to relocate a crocodile that had recently laid eggs.According to Mey Savry, the police chief of Siem Reap commune, the incident occurred when Luan Nam’s goad, a stick he was using to prod the crocodile, was seized by the reptile, causing him to lose his balance and tumble into the enclosure. The other crocodiles swiftly seized the opportunity and launched a savage attack on the helpless man, tearing his body apart. The grim scene left the concrete enclosure splattered with blood, bearing witness to the brutal assault.”The crocodile attacked the stick, causing him to fall into the enclosure,” Mey Savry explained to AFP. “Subsequently, other crocodiles joined in, viciously attacking him until he succumbed to his injuries,” he added, highlighting the multitude of bite marks covering Luan Nam’s remains. Shockingly, one of his arms was bitten off and consumed by the ferocious reptiles.Luan Nam, who served as the president of the local crocodile farmers’ association, had long been urged by his family to discontinue his involvement with the dangerous reptiles. Now, in the aftermath of this tragic incident, his family may opt to sell off their stock, as revealed by May Sameth, the commune chief.This unfortunate event is not the first of its kind in the region. In 2019, a two-year-old girl suffered a similar fate after straying into her family’s reptile farm within the same village, Mey Savry stated.Siem Reap is renowned as the gateway city to the historic ruins of Angkor Wat, and several crocodile farms can be found in the vicinity. These farms serve various purposes, including the harvesting of eggs, skins, and meat, as well as the trade of the reptiles’ offspring.As the community grapples with the aftermath of this devastating incident, authorities and local residents are prompted to revisit safety protocols surrounding the keeping and handling of such dangerous creatures. The tragic loss of Luan Nam’s life serves as a somber reminder of the risks associated with working closely with predatory animals.