Man arrested after toddler found seriously injured inside UK zoo’s crocodile enclosure
Zoo staff rescued the child and provided emergency treatment before he was taken to the hospital
A 3-year-old boy has been left critically injured after being found inside a crocodile enclosure at a zoo in England, with police arresting a man on suspicion of attempted murder.
The incident took place on Thursday, June 18, at Johnsons of Old Hurst crocodile farm in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, where emergency services responded to reports of a child being seriously injured inside the enclosure.
According to Cambridgeshire Constabulary, the boy was rescued by zoo staff and received medical attention at the scene before being taken to the hospital.
“The boy, who sustained serious injuries while in the enclosure, was pulled out by staff from the zoo and received medical treatment at the scene before being taken to the hospital,” police said.
Authorities confirmed that the child remains in a critical but stable condition.
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk, who police said was not known to the child, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
He was later released on bail until September 18 after officers determined he was not fit for an interview at the time.
Detective Inspector Verity McCann said the investigation remains ongoing as officers continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“Our thoughts remain with the boy, and his family and specialist officers continue to support them through this difficult time,” she said.
Emergency response teams, including Magpas Air Ambulance and the East of England Ambulance Service, attended the scene.
Magpas Air Ambulance confirmed that its critical care team treated one patient before the child was transported to the hospital by land ambulance.
A local resident told the BBC that he heard multiple emergency sirens before seeing an air ambulance arrive, describing the incident as “shocking.”
Following the incident, Johnsons of Old Hurst released a statement expressing support for the child and his family.
The attraction said its Tropical House would remain closed until further notice while the investigation continues.
“Out of respect to the family, our Tropical House will remain closed until further notice,” the zoo said.
Local officials also responded to the incident, with Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jecty urging people not to speculate while police carry out their investigation.
“This is now a live criminal investigation, and I would ask people to refrain from speculation online,” he said.
The incident has shocked the local community, with council representative Charlotte Lowe describing the situation as “incredulous” and saying such an event was unexpected in the rural village.
The police investigation remains active as authorities work to determine exactly what happened inside the crocodile enclosure.
