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Friday, 19 June 2026

Toddler Thrown into Crocodile Pit: There Really Needs To Be A "Private Zoo" Review

 Needs its animal licence reviewed and closing of area (which they have done) until higher fencing is put in. That is an amateur excuse for a fence in an area the public visits. Looks high until you see people up against it...



BBC News

Aimee Dexter
Reporting fromCambridgeshire
  • Published

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy was left with critical injuries after ending up in a zoo's crocodile enclosure.

Cambridgeshire Police said it was called to Johnsons of Old Hurst, near Huntingdon, at 13:24 BST.

Andy Johnson, who runs the zoo, told the BBC his wife, Tracey, jumped into the enclosure to try to help the boy.

A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and officers added they do not believe the man and child were known to each other.

The force said it was investigating whether the child was attacked by the animals.

The boy was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital with serious injuries and is in a critical but stable condition, the force said.

The man has since been released on bail and was 'unfit to interview'.

Figure caption,

Police cordon at zoo after boy attacked in crocodile enclosure

A spokesperson for Johnsons of Old Hurst said its thoughts and prayers were with the boy and his family.

"Out of respect to the family, our Tropical House will remain closed until further notice," they added.

"If you have any questions about the incident, please direct inquiries to Cambridgeshire Police Constabulary.

"The rest of the site will remain open as normal."

The inside of a crocodile enclosure at a zoo. There are bodies of water for the animals as well as foliage and plants. There is a walk way through the middle of the enclosure lined with fences.
Image caption,

The crocodiles are kept in a converted cattle barn, which has metal-fenced elevated walkways

Det Insp Verity McCann, from Cambridgeshire Police, 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."

Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jecty wrote on social media that his "thoughts were with the young victim and his family during a hugely traumatic and difficult time" and he urged people to "refrain from speculation online".

He said he was "liaising with senior officers at Gold Command who are treating this as a critical incident".

Several crocodiles are in an enclosure which has a small pond of water that has algae growing in it. The animals are sitting underneath a bridge which goes over the pen.Image source,Supplied
Image caption,

The zoo houses crocodiles at its site near Huntingdon

Darryl Preston, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough's police and crime commissioner, said he had been briefed by Chief Constable Simon Megicks.

"My thoughts go out to the family of the little boy involved in this truly horrific incident," he said.

"I can only begin to imagine the trauma those involved are going through."

Man bailed after crocodile incident

A spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Service said an ambulance, a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance officer vehicle and Magpas Air Ambulance attended the scene.

"A child was transported by road to hospital for further care," they added.

A Magpas Air Ambulance spokesperson said a critical care team attended the incident at 13:42 and "treated one patient at the scene before taking them to hospital".

Map of eastern England showing the location of Johnsons Zoo near Huntingdon, north-west of Cambridge. A red label marks the site, with nearby towns including Huntingdon and Cambridge labelled. Major roads and waterways are shown and an inset map highlights the location within the UK.

A near neighbour of the zoo, who did not wish to be named, described hearing a "lot of sirens" then an air ambulance arriving.

He said the incident was "shocking".

Mike Annicelli, 52, who also lives close to the zoo, said he had previously visited the attraction.

He said there was a "raised platform" in the enclosure and estimated the crocodiles were about 15ft (4.5m) below. He said there was fencing along walkways which he estimated was around 4ft (1.2m) high.

Multiple cameras on tripods are pointed over a fence at the side of the road. Image source,Tom Jackson/BBC
Image caption,

Members of the media are at the scene but police are no longer there.

According to its website, Johnsons of Old Hurst is a family-run farming business that now features a butchers, a farm shop, tea room, steakhouse and zoo.

It says it "houses over 100 fascinating animals" including crocodiles, African lions and a Bengal tiger.

The crocodiles are kept in a converted cattle barn, which has metal-fenced elevated walkways looking down on large pools of water surrounded by tropical vegetation.

A drone image from above a farm and zoo. There are several large buildings housing enclosures as well as outdoor areas. Some vehicles can be seen parked around the site.Image source,Ant Saddington/BBC
Image caption,

The Tropical House enclosure where the crocodiles are housed remains closed until further notice, a spokesperson for the zoo said

Charlotte Lowe, who represents Old Hurst on Huntingdonshire District Council and Cambridgeshire County Council, said she was "shocked" when she heard about the incident.

"To have something like this happen here is just incredulous," she said. "You don't expect this to happen in a rural village."

The enclosure had safety measures in place, she added, including Perspex glass and secure walkways, and the zoo was a popular attraction to visitors from all over the country.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the young boy suffering in this," she added.

Johnsons of Old Hurst sign. Shows opening times. It is a bright sunny morning and there is a brick building in the background . Image source,Tom Jackson/BBC
Image caption,

The zoo is expected to reopen on Friday, although the Tropical House will be closed.

The Actress and the Cheetah

EAR Archives

 London, 1939 and actress Phyllis Gordon takes her four year old Cheetah shopping . She was also photographed with it in Paris, France/



Phyllis Gordon (October 17, 1889 – October 16, 1964) was an American actress. She appeared in 50 silent era and sound films between 1911 and 1941. She was born in Suffolk, Virginia, and died one day before her 75th birthday in Sonoma, California

As noted Gordon was once notably photographed walking a pet cheetah on a London shopping street.[2] She also shocked people at a restaurant in Davenport, Iowa, when they realized that she had a marmoset in her handbag.


Gordon with her pet cheetah while having tea at a Bois de Boulogne cafe, Paris, France
in 1932 Photo credited to : Alfred Eisenstaedt

Wednesday, 17 June 2026

Is The Puma A "Big Cat"?

 




No, despite their massive size, pumas are scientifically classified as the largest of all "small cats" rather than true big cats. Check with The Big Cat Sanctuary 
The distinction boils down to anatomy and evolution: 
  • The Roar: True "big cats" (which belong to the genus Panthera, such as lions, tigers, jaguars, and leopards) have a special flexible throat structure that allows them to roar. Pumas lack this, meaning they cannot roar, but they can purr. 
  • Biological Family: Pumas belong to the Felinae subfamily, making them more closely related to house cats and cheetahs than to lions. True big cats belong to the Pantherinae subfamily. 
  • Size: Although not zoologically a "big cat," adult pumas can easily match or exceed the weight of some true big cats, like the leopard. Check Panthera.Org

Tuesday, 14 April 2026

Anyone Investigated and Studied Exotics in the UK ?



 It is interesting that I first started investigating "big cat" reports in 1976 before forming the Exotic Animals Register in 1977. I have worked with UK police forces and other organisations. I do not collect reports I study them and map them and that includes looking at the local environment,  prey sources, water and much more.

I also recorded and studied other exotic species. That is 50 years worth of work. Are any of the current "big cat" groups interested in the results of that work? Are they interested in the published data?

No.

Many still use books published by cryptozoologists that were inaccurate 40 years ago when published.  Some read about leopards in India and Africa and have some very strange theories but have not grasped that the UK is NOT India or Africa or, when it comes to puma, not North or South America. You have to look at the animals in the UK and how they have adapted.

It was proven decades ago that various cat species were in the UK (leading to a good few misidentifications). We had DNA by 2000.

So what reaction do I get from the UK groups "it's possible you might fit in with our team of researchers" -WHERE is the published research?  WHERE are the published investigation reports? 

I do not dress up in urban cammo gear and I do not -for animal welfare/safety reasons- put online maps of sighting locations. 50 years has shown me what you can and cannot make public and that hunting groups do go out looking for animals once they are reported.

There are plenty of other hobbies for bored people.



Wednesday, 25 March 2026

Wildwood Kent Slaughters Wolf Pack

  Another establishment which is so badly run that it decides to slaughter an entire wolf pack. How long will this go on/

Wildwood in Kent should be banned from keeping any wolves in future.



The statement:

Those who have visited the park will be aware that the wolf area has recently been closed.
There has been a severe escalation in aggressive behaviour within the Wildwood Kent wolf pack, resulting in multiple life-threatening injuries.
Due to the volatility within the pack, our team has been unable to safely intervene or provide the level of veterinary care required.
We are deeply saddened to share that, following this serious and rapid breakdown in pack dynamics, the decision was made to euthanise our wolf pack this morning.
This decision has been made following detailed discussions between our experienced animal management team and veterinary professionals.
Anyone familiar with Wildwood's work will know that animal welfare is always our highest priority. Euthanasia is only ever considered as a last resort. Over a prolonged period, extensive efforts have been made to manage the pack, support individuals, and prevent escalation. However, the situation presented an ongoing and unacceptable risk to welfare, and we were no longer able to ensure the safety or quality of life of the animals within the group.
The park was closed during this time to allow this to be carried out safely, calmly, and with the respect these animals deserve.
This is an incredibly difficult moment for our team. We are all heartbroken. Many of our staff have cared for these wolves over a long period of time, and this loss will be deeply felt.
We appreciate your understanding and compassion.
The Wildwood Trust team.

Toddler Thrown into Crocodile Pit: There Really Needs To Be A "Private Zoo" Review

  Needs its animal licence reviewed and closing of area (which they have done) until higher fencing is put in. That is an amateur excuse for...