UMVA has learned that a harrowing incident unfolded at a zoo in Oxfordshire, where a three-year-old boy was seriously hurt by at least one crocodile.
The terrifying attack occurred at the reptile enclosure, where footage shows the crocodiles leaping out of the water and snapping their jaws. The video, taken on August 29, 2025, captures the intense moment when the animals were being fed.
In the midst of chaos, a heroic trio – Tracey Johnson, 55, her zookeeper husband Andrew, 56, and their 29-year-old son Edward – leapt into action to rescue the child. Tracey, who owns the family-run zoo, was one of the first people to rush to the child’s aid.
As investigators worked to piece together the events surrounding the attack, a suspect was assessed and found not fit for interview. The suspect, who has hearing difficulties and relies on two carers, was bailed until September 18.
According to information obtained by UMVA, a witness described the suspect as a larger-built individual with two carers who seemed distracted, chatting among themselves and on their phones. The carers were reportedly about ten meters behind the suspect, not paying much attention to him.
The mother of a child who was at the zoo during the incident recounted her experience, saying she saw a man matching the suspect's description. The suspect's carers appeared to be English and were not focused on him, which raised concerns about the level of supervision.
