Caiman attacks BBC wildlife presenter filming in Argentina

A spectacled caiman attacked wildlife presenter Steve Backshall during filming for the BBC in Argentina. Backshall was looking for yellow anacondas as he waded through wetlands but was taken by surprise by the crocodilian reptile. The presenter was treated for puncture wounds to his calf before completing filming. Presenter Steve Backshall witnessed first-hand the powerful bite of the spectacled caiman when he surprised one in the marshes of northern Argentina, close to border of Paraguay.



The wildlife presenter's mission for the day was to find yellow anacondas, one of the largest species of snake. The film crew were travelling by horseback, searching for snakes from a safe height. As they traversed the marshes, one of their horses reacted to something in the water. Video footage captured the moment when Backshall investigated what had caused the animal's panic.

"I jumped down into the water to try and catch it, and waded around in the muddy water trying to find it. Suddenly, my foot hit what felt like a log lying on the bottom of the swamp," he said. The caiman struck the wildlife presenter in the left leg, tearing his trousers and puncturing his flesh. "It was purely acting in defence, and trying to drive me away, and made no attempt to follow up the attack," he said, confirming reports that spectacled caiman are not known to attack unprovoked.


Photo by Charlie Bingham.

"However, it left a series of deep gashes running down my calf, which were pretty gory looking," the presenter added. The crew immediately radioed for back up and Backshall was taken to the nearest medical clinic for stitches, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics. "This is the biggest thing I've ever been bitten by - well, apart from my sister's horse when I was a kid!" he said. Backshall and the crew were able to complete filming after a short break for recuperation.