Toddler falls into jaguar pit at Arkansas zoo
By Amy Graff
A 3-year-old Arkansas child is in critical condition after falling into the jaguar pit at the Little Rock Zoo on Friday morning, according to KTHV-TV.
The horrific accident happened when the boy was on a visit at the zoo with his father and grandfather fell over the railing and into the pit, according to the police report. The father immediately rushed for help and then returned and started throwing objects at the animals in the pit who were circling around the baby. One jaguar dove toward the child and bit his neck and then backed off when the dad threw something at it.
Zoo employees eventually arrived on the scene and one distracted the animals with a fire extinguisher while the other climbed into the pit on a ladder to rescue the child.
Two minutes later, an ambulance was on the scene and medical technicians were helping the boy who suffered “scalp lacerations, a depressed skull fracture, and minor puncture wounds,” according to KTHV-TV.
Lt. Sidney Allen with the Little Rock Police Department was uncertain whether the wounds came from the fall or the animal bite.
Director of communications for Arkansas Children’s Hospital Dan McFadden released a statement:
"We are treating a child here at Arkansas Children’s Hospital who was injured earlier today at the Little Rock Zoo. The child’s condition is critical. We respect the wishes of the child’s guardian who asked that the child’s name and any additional information not be shared at this time. Thank you for respecting the privacy of this family."
