'Fatso' - the crocodile bites a drunk Oz

On Wednesday a drunk Australian man was bitten by a crocodile after he climbed into its enclosure in order to pat the creature.

Michael Newman had been ejected from a pub called the Divers Tavern in the West Australian town of Broome on Monday night, before he broke into a zoo and tried to climb onto the back of a crocodile named 'Fatso'.

Newman is a tourist from eastern Australia, Broome Police said.

"The crocodile wasn't too happy about Newman's moves, and promptly bit him on his right leg," Acting Senior Sergeant Alan Armstrong from Broome Police told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Police said that Newman had been thrown out of the pub for being drunk.

After biting Newman, the crocodile let him go and the 36-year-old was able to walk back to the pub to seek help.

Speaking to reporters outside Broome Hospital, Newman said he had wanted to give Fatso a pat.

"Well I'm thinking if someone else can go up and hand feed him, I can go up and pat him, but unfortunately they move so fast," he said.

Broome Crocodile Park owner, Malcolm Douglas said that there were several circumstances that probably saved Newman from being killed by Fatso, including the cold weather and the location of the crocodile when Newman jumped into the cage.

Saltwater crocodiles are the world's largest reptiles and can grow up to 7 metres (23 feet).

They have increased in numbers in the Australian tropical north region after hunting of the species was banned in 1971.