A crocodile snapped off the right calf and crushed the right forearm of a part-time worker at a crocodile farm here yesterday.

The incident happened at 1.45pm at the farm at Batu 8 when the 35-year-old worker had fed the reptile and was stroking its snout in the performance pool, Sandakan Police chief ACP Azhar Hamin said today.

The crocodile snapped at the worker, he said, adding that other workers managed to frighten the crocodile into releasing its grip and chased it off.

Azhar said the worker was under treatment at the intensive care unit of the Duchess of Kent Hospital.

He said the worker was on a six-month contract with the farm up to next month. -- BERNAMA