3-year-old critically injured by crocodile after ending up in its enclosure in British zoo

LONDON — A toddler was in critical condition Friday after being injured by a crocodile inside an enclosure at a zoo, British police said.

Subscribe to read this story ad-free

Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.

The 3-year-old boy, who has not been named, was pulled out of the crocodile enclosure Thursday at Johnsons of Old Hurst Zoo in Cambridgeshire, in southern England, by staff members and rushed to a local hospital.

Police did not say how the child ended up in the reptile’s enclosure, but said a 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

“The man, who is not known to the victim, was assessed as not being fit for interview,” Cambridgeshire police said in a statement.

The unnamed man was released on bail Friday while detectives continue their investigation, the statement added.

The child “sustained serious injuries while in the enclosure,” police said, and remained “in a critical but stable condition.”

“Our thoughts remain with the boy, and his family and specialist officers continue to support them through this difficult time,” Detective Inspector Verity McCann said. “Our enquiries are ongoing as we continue to understand the circumstances surrounding this distressing incident.”

The family-run zoo said in a statement that its Tropical House, where the crocodiles were kept, would be closed until further notice, “out of respect to the family.”

The zoo houses more than 100 animals including lions, tigers and capybaras, according to its website. Its staff has maintained “a particular fascination with crocodiles. We have cared for and been involved with these incredible animals for the past two decades,” it said.