The family of a boy seriously injured after he was thrown into a zoo’s crocodile pit have issued an update on his condition.
A post shared on a recently-launched fundraising page on Wednesday (July 8) revealed the three-year-old had recently undergone a sixth surgery.
The toddler was rushed to hospital after he ended up in the crocodile enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst, near Huntingdon, on June 18.
He is in a stable condition and remains in hospital where his parents are “living” as he continues to recover from the incident.
So far, more than £65,000 has been raised in less than a month to support his recovery and care.
Last week, surgeons performed a skin graft in two places on his left arm which have started to heal.
“They were also able to look at all of his external wounds and are happy with the way they are healing,” the GoFundMe page reads.
The family confirmed it was “celebrating the little wins”, adding there is “still a long way to go” in his recovery.
“Although the external wounds are healing nicely, the nerve and tendon damage still brings uncertainty,” the post continued.
“Currently he has little movement in three of his left fingers and no movement in his right fingers.
“We spoke to the surgeons today and his nerves will take months to heal and recover before we are even able to tell what function he truly has.”
A 30-year-old man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder was released on bail (Image: SWNS)
The boy was rescued from the pit by staff members, including the zoo’s owners Andy and Tracey Johnson, who are said to have leapt into the enclosure.
He was treated at the scene before being rushed to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge, in a critical condition.
Cambridgeshire Police later revealed he was attacked by one of the reptiles.
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder but released just hours after his arrest.
He was assessed by detectives as being unfit for interview and bailed until September.
A source with knowledge of the situation claimed the man, believed to have learning difficulties, was visiting the zoo with two carers.
Detectives are reviewing CCTV at the site to establish the events leading up to the incident (Image: Joe Giddens/PA)
It is alleged the carers left the crocodile enclosure with the suspect after the incident but were stopped by staff members.
Other witnesses claimed the carers were “on their phones” and “weren’t paying him much attention”.
Norfolk County Council is now investigating whether the man is being neglected or abused while in care.
The local authority revealed it had launched a Section 42 inquiry and stopped referrals to the care provider in the suspect’s case.
These require local authorities to investigate when they suspect an adult receiving care is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect.
While the suspect is from the county, it is understood his care was not commissioned, provided or paid for by the council.
Johnsons of Old Hurst described the incident as “one of the most distressing” in its history.
The zoo thanked visitors who “stepped forward to help,” including off-duty paramedics and police officers.
It has since been confirmed no safety concerns were indicated regarding the zoo’s conditions at the time of the incident.
