A man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy was seriously injured when allegedly thrown into a zoo’s crocodile enclosure has been released on bail.
Cambridgeshire Police said the 30-year-old man was assessed by officers as unfit for interview.
He has been released on bail while detectives from the major crimes unit conduct further inquiries.
The boy, from Cambridgeshire, remains at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in a critical but stable condition following the incident at Johnson’s of Old Hurst in Huntingdonshire.
Detective Inspector Verity McCann said: “Our inquiries 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 30-year-old man has been bailed until September 18.
The police do not believe the boy and the man knew each other.
The boy is in a serious but stable condition after being thrown into a crocodile enclosure | ALI MOORE
A spokesman for East of England Ambulance Service said a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance and Magpas Air Ambulance attended the scene.
Detective Inspector Verity McCann previously said: “At this stage we are speaking to people who were at the zoo at the time of this distressing incident to understand more about the circumstances.
“We do not believe the man arrested and the child are known to each other.
“Officers are supporting the boy’s family at hospital and our thoughts remain with them.”
According to its website, Johnson’s of Old Hurst is a family-run farming business.
It hosts a butcher’s, a tea room, a steakhouse, a farm shop, and a zoo.
The zoo boasts more than 100 animals.
As well as crocodiles, tigers, lions, sloth bears and meerkats are also housed at the facility.
Inside Johnsons zoo in Old Hurst | JEDI QUIGLEY / GOOGLE STREET VIEW
A blog post on the Johnsons’ website said the crocodiles were initially acquired to eat waste meat from the butchery, but they eventually became the beginning of the zoo.
The zoo offers experiences allowing children to aid keepers look after smaller animals.
Other packages such as 30 minutes feeding crocodiles for £80 or £100 for feeding lions.
A spokesman for Cambridgeshire County Council said: “Our thoughts are with the victim and their family but as this is a live police investigation, we cannot comment any further.”
Following the incident, Johnson’s of Old Hurst said in a statement: “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.
“If you have any questions about the incident, please direct enquiries to Cambridgeshire Police Constabulary.
“The rest of the site will remain open as normal.”
