Zoo Confirms Full Reopening After Incident
Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo in Huntingdon announced that its entire site, including the crocodile enclosure where a three-year-old boy was seriously injured, is now fully open to visitors. In a social media post dated June 27, the zoo stated: "Public announcement. As of this weekend, our whole site will be fully open, thank you." A zoo spokesperson confirmed to the Press Association that this included the crocodile attraction.
Incident Details and Aftermath
The boy, from Cambridgeshire, was allegedly thrown into the crocodile pit on June 18 and attacked by at least one reptile. He was rushed to hospital in a critical condition but is now stable. A 30-year-old man from Norfolk was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder but released on bail after being assessed as unfit for interview. The suspect reportedly has learning difficulties and was on an outing with carers at the time. Zoo owner's wife Tracey Johnson jumped into the enclosure to rescue the boy.
Visitor Reactions and Investigation
Zoo visitors expressed excitement on Instagram about the full reopening, with one commenting: "Brilliant, and well done to all involved with the recent event." Meanwhile, Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) launched an investigation after about 40 hospital staff accessed the boy's medical records without clear authorization. CUH referred itself to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) to determine if all employees had a legitimate reason for viewing his data.
