It has been nearly two months since police were called to the Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo in Cambs reports of an incident involving a three-year-old boy at the crocodile enclosure
Eerie photographs show the near-deserted crocodile enclosure where a three year old boy was seriously injured earlier this summer.
Dozens of families were visiting the Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo in Cambs this week at the peak of the school holidays. However only a few ventured into the Tropical House where the un-named suffered serous injuries after being bitten by at least one crocodile.
A visitor, who spent ten minutes in the house, saw just one adult accompanied by a young child, believed to be around seven, while families with prams walked straight past.
In images and footage taken inside, usually busy elevated walkways with safety fencing are empty and the atmosphere was described as “quiet and sombre”. Signage both inside and outside the Tropical House says children must be supervised at all times and warns against carrying them on shoulders or handrails.
The building is home to multiple crocodile species including Nile, Saltwater, and Siamese.
The visitor said the rest of the zoo, which includes a steakhouse, tea room, and shop, was busy with families during the school holidays.
Police were called to the family-run zoo on June 18 to reports of an incident involving a three-year-old boy, during which he ended up in the crocodile enclosure. A 30-year-old man, believed to have learning difficulties and on a day out with his carers, was arrested but released on bail after being deemed not fit for interview.
Owner Tracey Johnson, 55, was hailed as a hero after she dashed into the crocodile pen to retrieve the boy despite the presence of at least two large Nile crocodiles.
Chris Newman, 67, director of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, described Tracey as “a very courageous and brave lady”. The boy, who has not been identified, is now stable following the incident but has been a patient at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge for around six weeks.
His family has said the tot underwent a nerve graft on his left arm and they hope it will help him to regain function in his hand.
They also revealed he had undergone a gruelling 12-hour surgery shortly after the incident in which he suffered severe tissue damage in both his arms, neck, head and face.
In a statement posted by the boy’s grandmother, the family said: “We were unsure if our son was going to make it and that was the worst feeling in the world. The cheeky little boy that we love so much is talking to the nurses, playing using his feet and smiling again. We are amazed at how far he has come.”
Norfolk County Council has launched an inquiry under the Care Act 2014 although they did not provide any care for the man arrested. The Section 42 inquiry is a statutory safeguarding process to protect adults with care and support needs from abuse or neglect.
A GoFundMe has been set up to support the boy’s recovery and rehabilitation, as well as to provide the family with financial stability while they support him in hospital and throughout the coming months.
You can donate to the GoFundMe page by clicking here.
