Johnson's of Old Hurst has announced the closure of its crocodile enclosure 'until further notice' following a 'distressing' incident involving a three-year-old boy.
Incident Details
Emergency services were called to the zoo in Huntingdonshire at 1.24pm on Thursday, June 18, after the toddler was seriously injured. The boy was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital, where he remains in a 'critical but stable' condition.
Police arrived following 'reports of an incident involving a three-year-old boy, during which he ended up in the crocodile enclosure'. A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Police Investigation
Detective Inspector Verity McCann, from Cambridgeshire Constabulary, said: 'At this stage we are speaking to people who were at the zoo at the time of this distressing incident to understand more about the circumstances. We do not believe the man arrested and the child are known to each other. Officers are supporting the boy's family at hospital and our thoughts remain with them.'
Zoo Statement
A statement from Johnsons of Old Hurst, uploaded to its Facebook page, read: 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family following the incident that occurred today. Out of respect to the family, our Tropical House will remain closed until further notice. The rest of the site will remain open as normal.'
Background on Crocodile Exhibit
A blog post on the zoo's website said the crocodiles were initially kept to help dispose of waste meat from the butchery, but went on to become the start of the zoo. It also offers visitors the chance to 'meet and feed' the 'snappy crocodiles', with a 30-minute session priced at £80 for one person, or £120 for two. The zoo keeps the crocodiles in a converted cattle barn, which has metal-fenced elevated walkways looking down on large pools of water surrounded by tropical vegetation.
