Zoo where child ‘thrown to crocodiles’ reopens nine days later

The zoo where a three-year-old boy was seriously injured after he was allegedly thrown into a crocodile pit has reopened.

The zoo where a three-year-old boy was seriously injured after he was allegedly thrown into a crocodile pit has reopened.

The boy ended up in a 15ft-deep enclosure while visiting Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo near Huntingdon with his family.

A ‘mentally disabled’, who broke away from his carers, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder but was released on bail after being described as ‘not being fit for interview’ by police.

Johnsons of Old Hurst said its whole site will be open ‘as of this weekend’.

In the post dated June 27, it said: ‘Public announcement. As of this weekend, our whole site will be fully open, thank you.”’

The zoo has confirmed this included the crocodile attraction, where one of the reptiles attacked the boy.

The three-year-old was said have to sustained ‘serious injuries’ in the enclosure but was rescued by the zoo owner’s wife, who jumped in to save him.

Chris Newman, the director of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, told the BBC that Tracey’s husband Andy and their youngest son Edward were all involved in the rescue.

The suspect reportedly has hearing difficulties and has two carers who, according to a witness, were ‘on their phones’ when he allegedly attacked the child.

A mum who was at the zoo at the time said: ‘I don’t know if it was definitely him but I saw one bloke of a bigger build; he had two carers with him and they weren’t paying him much attention.

‘If it was him, his carers were maybe ten metres behind him and not paying much attention.

An investigation has also been launched after the boy was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, where up to 40 staff accessed his medical details.