An amateur participant was seriously injured after being gored in the rectum during a traditional bull event.
The man, who was not a professional bullfighter, had joined in the event as a banderillero – a participant who approaches bulls on foot to place decorated sticks into their backs.
Footage from the event on Sunday (23 August) appears to show him attempting to place one of the sticks into the bull when the animal suddenly charges at him.
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The bull strikes him, lifts him and spins him around on one of its horns before hurling him to the ground.
It then tramples him before tossing him into the air as he tries to flee, leaving him with a serious injury to his rectal area.
He was rushed to a medical centre and was reportedly due to undergo complex reconstructive surgery because of the severity of his injuries.
The incident happened during corralejas in Barranca Nueva area of Calamar, in Colombia’s Bolívar department, as reported by Need To Know.
Corralejas are traditional bull events deeply rooted in Colombia’s Caribbean region, where members of the public can enter an arena alongside the animals.
Unlike professional Spanish bullfighting, corralejas involve amateur participants who enter the ring to interact with the bulls.
The events are controversial, with critics highlighting the risk of serious injuries and deaths among participants, as well as the treatment of the animals.
Animal welfare campaigners argue that the bulls are subjected to stress, injuries and unnecessary suffering.
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