A three-year-old boy was rescued from a crocodile enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst farm and zoo in Cambridgeshire on June 18 after sustaining severe injuries.
The facility owners reported that staff and visitors acted immediately upon receiving reports that the child had allegedly been thrown into the exhibit.
The rescue operation was underway before emergency services arrived. Off-duty medical personnel and police officers assisted facility staff during the initial phase.
"Everyone who was on site that day acted with incredible speed and determination," the zoo said in an Instagram statement.
"Within minutes of the first radio call, the child had been rescued from the enclosure and was receiving first aid," the post added.
The coordinated actions of employees and bystanders helped secure the site before specialized medical teams arrived. The emergency services, supported by the Magpas Air Ambulance, responded quickly.
"We cannot thank them enough for their professionalism, compassion and dedication in such difficult circumstances," the zoo stated.
The institution also commended its own staff for their immediate response.
"We are immensely proud of our own staff, who responded without hesitation and did everything they could to help and support the child until the emergency services took over," the post said.
Following the rescue, the boy's parents issued an update via a fundraising platform. They expressed gratitude for the community's support during the initial two-week hospitalization period.
"We are extremely grateful for everyone's generosity," the parents said.
"We could never thank you enough for the support you have given our family in this horrible time," they added.
The family confirmed that the child had undergone five surgeries, with additional medical interventions scheduled.
"We have been living at the hospital for two weeks now and our son has undergone five surgeries," the parents said.
The long-term medical outlook remains complex.
"The rehabilitation journey is uncertain, but we do know that it won't be a short process," they stated.
The financial support helped offset immediate costs while both parents remained away from work.
"The donations have helped ease the pressure of these expenses so we are extremely grateful to everyone," the parents said.
Cambridgeshire police reported that a 30-year-old man from Norfolk was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
He was released on bail after being assessed as unfit for interview.
