A three-year-old boy is in critical condition after being injured by a crocodile at Johnson’s of Old Hurst Zoo in Cambridgeshire, southern England. The incident occurred on Thursday, and zoo staff immediately rescued the child from the enclosure and transported him to a hospital.
Authorities have not disclosed how the child ended up in the enclosure. A 30-year-old man, who has no known connection to the victim, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. However, Cambridgeshire police stated that he was deemed unfit for interview and was released on bail as investigations continue.
The injured child suffered severe injuries and remains in a critical but stable condition. Detective Inspector Verity McCann emphasized that their priority is to understand the circumstances that led to this serious incident. Specialist officers are offering support to the boy’s family during this challenging time.
The zoo announced the temporary closure of its Tropical House, where the incident took place, to show respect to the family. The facility, which houses over one hundred animals, including lions, tigers, and capybaras, has a long history of working with crocodiles, having cared for them for two decades.
Reporter Adela Suliman, based in London, provides breaking-news coverage for NBC News. She has a background in law and journalism, with experience at The Washington Post, Al Jazeera English, Reuters, and The Associated Press. Suliman has lived in Manchester, London, and Khartoum, reflecting her diverse upbringing.
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