A three-year-old boy remains hospitalized and undergoing surgical care nearly a month after being thrown into a crocodile enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.
The incident occurred on June 18 when a 30-year-old man, described as having a learning disability, allegedly picked up the child and threw him approximately 15 feet into an enclosure containing at least 15 crocodiles. The toddler reportedly landed on a concrete walkway, sustaining a broken arm and pelvis before being bitten by an animal.
He has undergone seven operations, including a recent nerve graft in his left hand, intended to restore function. The success of this surgery will not be known for several months pending further tests. The boy also suffered extensive damage to tendons, blood vessels, and tissue in his arms, neck, head, and face, requiring an initial 12-hour surgery.
His grandmother has established a GoFundMe page that has raised over £65,000 to support his ongoing rehabilitation. In a message shared on the fundraising page, the family expressed gratitude to the surgeons and noted the boy's current stable condition. "The cheeky little boy that we love so much is talking to the nurses, playing using his feet and smiling again," the grandmother wrote. "We are amazed at how far he has come."
Both of the boy's parents have taken time off work to care for him, a situation expected to continue throughout his recovery. Funds raised will support the family's immediate needs and the child's long-term rehabilitation. Any remaining donations will be given to the Addenbrooke's Trust, which provided care for the boy.
The zoo owners, Andy and Tracey Johnson, along with their son Edward, immediately entered the enclosure to rescue the child. The zoo owners stated that all individuals on site that day acted with "incredible speed and determination" and expressed gratitude to the emergency services and their own staff.
The suspect was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder but was released on bail and deemed unfit for interview. A council safeguarding investigation has been launched to examine the support provided to the man, with Norfolk County Council initiating a Section 42 inquiry. It is understood the suspect's care was not commissioned, provided, or paid for by Norfolk County Council.
Johnsons of Old Hurst, originally a dairy farm, now operates as a zoo housing over 100 animals, including lions, tigers, and sloth bears. The crocodiles were initially kept for waste meat disposal from the on-site butchery.