A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy ended up in a zoo’s crocodile enclosure and was badly injured.
Detectives from the major crime unit of Cambridgeshire Police are investigating.
They say they do not believe the man and child knew each other.
Officers were called to Johnsons of Old Hurst, near Huntingdon, at 1.24pm, to “reports of an incident involving a three-year-old boy, during which he ended up in the crocodile enclosure”.
The boy was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridgeshire with serious injuries and is critical but stable, police say.
Specially trained officers are at the hospital supporting his family.
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
In 2019, when the zoo opened its new reptile house, Andy Johnson, who ran the farm, told Cambridgeshire Live: “It’s just amazing for people to be able to look down on the animals with no barriers. It inspires you because they are there in real life, not like something you just saw on the TV.”
The zoo, which has more than 100 animals, says it offers a range of family-friendly activities.
Its website advertises a 30-minute “crocodile feeding experience” for £80.
Ben Obese-Jecty, the MP for Huntingdon, said he was liaising with senior officers over the case.
On social media he wrote: “I am aware of the incident at Johnson’s of Old Hurst and have been liaising with senior officers at Gold Command who are treating this as a critical incident.
“This is now a live criminal investigation and I would ask people to refrain from speculation online.
“The police will provide an update with further information in due course.
“My thoughts are with the young victim and his family during a hugely traumatic and difficult time.”
