Zoo crocodile attack: boy is smiling again, parents say

A three-year-old boy attacked in a crocodile enclosure at a Cambridgeshire zoo is smiling again four weeks later, his parents say. After seven surgeries at Addenbrooke’s Hospital—including a nerve graft on his left arm—he is talking to nurses and playing with his feet, though a long recovery remains ahead.

Key Takeaways

• The boy was attacked at Johnsons of Old Hurst near Huntingdon on 18 June 2026.
• Parents say he is talking to nurses, playing with his feet and smiling again.
• He has had seven surgeries; the latest was a nerve graft on his left arm.
• A 30-year-old Norfolk man remains on bail on suspicion of attempted murder.
• A fundraising appeal has raised more than £67,000 to support the family.

What happened at the Cambridgeshire zoo?

The boy, from Cambridgeshire, was visiting Johnsons of Old Hurst near Huntingdon with his family on 18 June when he was attacked by at least one crocodile in the enclosure.

According to the BBC, the animals have not been seized or put down. Police arrested a 30-year-old man from Norfolk on suspicion of attempted murder. He was later released on bail until 18 September after officers said he was assessed as not fit for interview.

The BBC understands the arrested man has learning disabilities, was on a trip with carers and did not know the child. The Care Quality Commission and Norfolk County Council have launched inquiries into his care.

How serious were the boy’s injuries?

Parents said arriving at Addenbrooke’s Hospital brought “the worst 12 hours” of their lives, including signing consent forms involving resuscitation and amputation.

In a fundraising update, they described a 12-hour operation treating tendon, nerve, blood vessel and severe tissue damage, plus broken bones, across both arms, his neck, head and face.

“We were unsure if our son was going to make it and that was the worst feeling in the world,” they wrote.

His seventh surgery this week completed a nerve graft on his left arm. Surgeons harvested a nerve from his leg to replace a missing section, hoping it will help restore some function in his left hand. Tests in a few months will show if the graft worked.

Is the boy expected to go home soon?

Four weeks on, parents say their “cheeky little boy” is talking to nurses, playing using his feet and smiling again. “We are amazed at how far he has come,” they added.

They hope the latest operation is the last for now and that they can go home soon. Once home, they expect physical and psychological rehabilitation challenges and are temporarily taking time off work to support him.

The fundraising page has raised over £67,000, with ITV reporting donations above £70,000. For more human-interest and science coverage, see our Future Tech & AI Wonders section.