Three-year-old falls into jaguar exhibit at Little Rock zoo

A boy was hospitalized Friday following a fall of at least 15 feet into a “Big Cat” exhibit at the Little Rock Zoo in Arkansas.

According to reports, a family member was holding the 3-year-old on a railing when he fell. The boy sustained injuries from both the fall and from two jaguars.

Zoo personnel entered the enclosure and kept the jaguars at bay using fire extinguishers until the rescue was complete.

Witnesses say the boy was bitten in the neck and foot.

A woman called 911 Friday morning to report “a child fell in the jaguar exhibit.”

“It’s not good,” she added.

The boy suffered a depressed skull fracture, minor puncture wounds and extensive lacerations to the scalp. He was listed in critical condition although reports say his wounds were not life-threatening, according to Fox News.

Police are still investigating how the child managed to fall into the open-air exhibit, which is now closed to the public pending further review of the attack.

Agencies/Canadajournal