Toddler seriously injured in zoo enclosure was attacked by crocodile, Sky News understands

A three-year-old boy who was seriously injured after ending up in the crocodile enclosure at a Cambridgeshire zoo was attacked by at least one of the reptiles, Sky News understands.

A 30-year-old man from Norfolk, who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, has been released on bail after being declared not fit for interview.

Police said the three-year-old boy from Cambridgeshire remains in Addenbrooke's Hospital in a critical but stable condition, following the incident at Johnson's of Old Hurst on Thursday.

Officers were called to the zoo at 1.24pm by the ambulance service to reports that a boy had suffered serious injuries.

The boy was pulled out by staff from the zoo and received medical treatment at the scene.

On Friday, Cambridgeshire Police said the man, who is not known to the toddler, had been "assessed as not being fit for interview".

Detective Inspector Verity McCann, from Cambridgeshire Police, said: "Our enquiries are ongoing as we continue to understand the circumstances surrounding this distressing incident.

"Our thoughts remain with the boy and his family, and specialist officers continue to support them through this difficult time."

The man has been bailed until 18 September.

Police said on Thursday the boy had sustained serious wounds during the "distressing" incident.

The zoo at Johnson's is home to more than 100 animals, including crocodiles, Bengal tigers, African lions, capybaras, meerkats and sloth bears, its website said.

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The crocodiles are kept in a converted cattle barn, which has metal-fenced elevated walkways looking down on large pools of water surrounded by tropical vegetation.

In a statement released after the incident on Thursday, the zoo said: "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."

Johnson's of Old Hurst is a family-run farming business that now features a butchers, a farm shop, tea room, steakhouse and zoo.

The crocodiles were initially kept to help dispose of waste meat from the butchery, but they went on to be the start of a zoo, according to a blog post from the zoo.

(c) Sky News 2026: Toddler seriously injured in zoo enclosure was attacked by crocodile, Sky News understands