The son of a man who was attacked by crocodiles in Kampong Chhnang province’s Rolea Ba’ier district on Saturday appealed yesterday for assistance after his father’s hands were amputated.

Aun Oeun, 31, son of 65-year-old Mao Aun, said yesterday his father had been employed to feed crocodiles for more than five years.

Mao Aun was picking fruit near a water tank containing the reptiles at the farm in Sre Thmey commune when a crocodile jumped out of the pond and bit his leg.

The reptile then dragged him into the pond where he was set upon by more crocodiles, before they were beaten off by neighbours of the farm.

Both of Mao Aun’s hands were amputated at the provincial referral hospital on Saturday following the attack.

His son has asked for well wishers to contribute or to help provide prosthetic limbs.

“He will not be able to run any business because he is old and disabled with a poor standard of living,” he told The Post yesterday.

Sorin Tiravuthy, director of Kampong Chhnang provincial referral hospital, said yesterday that Mao Aun received injuries all over his body and especially on his hands.

“[Mao Aun’s] left arm was cut from his forearm to nearly his armpit while half of his right hand was cut off,” he said.

“If [his hands] were not cut off, it could cause too much blood loss and he would have died.” He added that Mao Aun’s condition had improved and doctors continued to monitor his injuries.

Sre Thmey commune police chief Chan Bora said yesterday that Mao Aun’s treatment would be paid for by the farm owner and that he would take action if the owner did not guard the crocodiles properly.

“I am ready to take legal action against the crocodile farm owner if there is anyone in danger of death,” he said.