A three-year-old boy who was allegedly thrown into a crocodile enclosure at a family zoo in Cambridgeshire was mauled by at least one of the animals, according to sources. The incident occurred yesterday afternoon at Johnsons of Old Hurst, a popular attraction in Huntingdon.
Rescue and Injuries
The toddler sustained serious injuries after ending up in the 15-foot crocodile pit. Tracey Johnson, 55, the zoo owner's wife, reportedly jumped into the enclosure to rescue the child. The boy was pulled to safety and taken to hospital, where he remains in a critical but stable condition. He is believed to have suffered a broken arm and pelvis, though it is unclear which injuries resulted from the fall and which from the attack.
Arrest and Suspect
A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Police believe he was not known to the child. He was later released on bail after being deemed 'not fit for interview.' The suspect is described as a 'mentally disabled' man who reportedly broke away from his carers during an organized outing to the zoo, which houses over 100 animals, including crocodilians, big cats, and bears.
Emergency Response
Emergency services were called to the farm attraction near St Ives at approximately 1:24 pm. An air ambulance land team was dispatched. Witnesses reported hearing a loud scream before the zoo fell silent. Visitors were asked to leave, and a white sheet was erected between the cafe and farm shop while crews treated the boy.
Zoo Statement
Johnsons of Old Hurst released a statement: 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family. Out of respect, our Tropical House will remain closed until further notice. For questions, please direct enquiries to Cambridgeshire Police. The rest of the site will remain open as normal.'
Expert Insights
Chris Newman, director at the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, who has visited the zoo several times, explained that the crocodiles are well-fed but would naturally bite down on something thrown into the water. He noted that an investigatory bite could be serious for a young child and that the crocodile likely let go on its own due to being well-fed.
Police Investigation
Detective Inspector Verity McCann stated: 'Our enquiries are ongoing. Our thoughts remain with the boy and his family, and specialist officers continue to support them.'
Crocodile Facts
- Crocodilians are found in tropical climates across Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Australia.
- Saltwater crocodiles can grow the largest and live up to 70 years.
- Their cells do not age biologically like humans, and elderly crocs can be as energetic as young ones.
- They swim extremely fast underwater using their powerful tails for ambush.
- In the wild, the water's edge is their primary kill zone.
- Saltwater crocodiles can stay submerged for up to eight hours by slowing their heart rate to 2-3 beats per minute.
- Their breath smells like raw sewage and rotting meat due to their diet.
