A three-year-old boy has been discharged from hospital and returned home following a serious incident at a UK zoo in which he was thrown into a crocodile enclosure.
The boy, who suffered critical injuries, was discharged from hospital in recent weeks and is now recovering at home with his family. His parents shared an update on a fundraising page stating he is ‘happy to be home, playing with his toys, sleeping in his own bed and being a big brother.’
Cambridgeshire Police arrested a 30-year-old man from Norfolk on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the June 18 incident at Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. The suspect was later bailed after being assessed as ‘not fit for interview.’ Authorities confirmed the crocodiles involved were not seized or euthanized.
The boy’s family established a GoFundMe page to support his recovery and rehabilitation, which has raised over £113,000 to date. In their latest update, his parents noted that ‘all of his immediate surgeries are over with for now,’ allowing the family to focus on home-based rehabilitation. They also expressed gratitude for the hospital’s play team, which helped their son engage in age-appropriate activities during his recovery.
The incident occurred when the boy was visiting the zoo with his family. A 30-year-old man allegedly lifted him over a fence and threw him into an enclosure containing at least 15 crocodiles. The boy was taken to hospital in critical condition and underwent seven operations over two months. His parents have stated they continue to attend medical appointments to determine next steps for his recovery.
The zoo, Johnsons of Old Hurst, has not publicly commented on the incident. Cambridgeshire Police confirmed the suspect remains on bail pending further investigation. The fundraising campaign remains active to assist the family with ongoing medical and rehabilitation costs.