SHE JUMPED INTO A CROCODILE PIT TO SAVE A LITTLE BOY… T3rrified visitors watched in h0rr0r after a three-year-old boy was thrown into a crocodile enclosure at a UK zoo, leaving him fighting for his life

Zoo owner’s wife jumped into crocodile pit to rescue boy ‘thrown in by stranger’

The incident happened at the family zoo attraction in Huntingdonshire (Picture: Johnsons of Old Hurst)
A young boy allegedly thrown into the crocodile enclosure was saved by the zoo owner’s wife.

A man ‘not known to the child’ was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder at Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo in Huntingdonshire today after the three-year-old ended up in the enclosure in front of visitors.

Tracey Johnson, the wife of the zoo’s owner Andy, is said to have jumped into the pit with the deadly animals to rescue the child before they could get to him.

The boy was rescued from the pit and taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital with serious injuries.

He remains in a critical but stable condition.

One local told The Sun: ‘Apparently, the wife of the zoo owner, Tracey Johnson, jumped in to the enclosure to save the child.’

The 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been detained and is being questioned by detectives from the major crime unit.

A wildlife expert who knows the farm and its owners told Metro that the conditions for the animals at the family farm are pristine and they are well fed (Picture: SWNS)
Det Insp Verity McCann 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.’

A three-year-old boy is in a critical condition after falling in the crocodile pit (Picture: SWNS)
Johnsons 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 zoo’s social media says it is passionate about crocodiles and they are ‘at the very core of our history’ (Picture: Johnsons of Old Hurs)
‘The rest of the site will remain open as normal.’

Where did the boy get injured?

The emergency services were called to the family-owned farm on Church Street, Huntingdon, which is led by Andy Johnson, a fourth-generation farmer.

He was described as the ‘Tiger King Of Britain’ even telling Ross Kemp that he wanted to be fed to the alligators after he died.

His zoo started as a dairy farm before expanding into the current attraction featuring a butcher’s, farm shop, a tea room, a steakhouse and the zoo.

The farm website says the family has a ‘particular fascination with crocodiles’ and they have been involved with the animals for 20 years, including Mr Johnson’s involvement with crocodile farming research.

Mr Johnson made headlines in 2023 when he was given legal permission to cull deer to feed to his lions.

An aerial view of parts of the family attraction, which features the crocodile farm (Picture: SWNS)
Johnson’s zoo houses several crocodilians along with big cats like lions and tigers, and bears and other exotic animals.

The farm includes crocodiles, alligators and caimans, and the largest crocs are two Nile crocodiles called Romeo and Cuddles.

The species or number of crocodiles involved in today’s incident has not been publicly revealed.

Saltwater crocodiles, or salties, are the largest of crocodilians, and they can grow to over 19 feet.

They are known to specifically target humans for food in areas where they live in the wild, and they have one of the strongest bite forces of any living animal.

The zoo marked International Crocodile Day yesterday with a post on social media.

It said: ‘Crocodilians are at the very core of our history, our passion and the journey that has shaped Johnsons Zoological Gardens into what it is today.

‘These incredible animals have inspired generations of our family and continue to fascinate visitors from all over the country.’

‘Crocodiles are reactionary animals’

Police stood guard outside Johnsons farm, where a stranger allegedly flung a child into the crocodile pit (Picture: SWNS)
Chris Newman, director at the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, who has visited the zoo several times, told Metro that we shouldn’t blame the animals for their reaction.

He said: ‘Crocodiles are reactionary animals.

‘They are very well fed at the zoo, but if something like a body was thrown from above and it entered the water, it would be the natural reaction of the crocodile to bite down, but it would be an investigatory bite because they are so well fed.

‘But of course, even an investigatory bite like that would be serious.’

SOURCE: https://metro.co.uk/2026/06/18/boy-3-fighting-life-thrown-crocodiles-uk-zoo-28832936/