A three-year-old toddler is now listed in stable condition following his fall into a jaguar exhibit at the Arkansas zoo.
Despite suffering extensive injuries in the 15-16 foot fall on Oct. 10, thankfully the boy's condition has been upgraded from critical and he is expected to continue to improve.
"The child's condition is critical," said the initial statement released by the zoo. "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." His condition was upgraded the next day.
According to a report, witnesses heard screams for help after the boy slipped through the rail of the exhibit feet first. The child, who was with his father and grandfather at the time, was leaning over the railing in an attempt to photograph the animals. The father reportedly saw the child's feet go over the railing in his peripheral vision.
After falling into the enclosure, zoo staff quickly came to the scene and attempted to use fire extinguishers to fend off the animals. While staff were warding off the animals, a zookeeper used a ladder to get into the enclosure and retrieve the child.
"The black cat had bit the child on the foot area and the yellow jaguar had bit the clothing near the neck area," said the child's grandfather.
"The child was then handed to the child's father and both were taken by golf cart to the zoo's back gate entrance where the child was placed in an ambulance and taken to a nearby hospital," said Little Rock City Manager Bruce Moore. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the child and the family. The safety of our citizens is of paramount value and our staff followed training procedures on rescuing the child and were able to respond quickly and efficiently and work with emergency personnel. A full investigation into the incident is being conducted."
The boy reportedly suffered extensive scalp lacerations, a depressed skull fracture and minor puncture wounds. It is unknown as to whether the wounds came from the fall or from the animals.
The Little Rock Zoo was renewed for accreditation with the Associations of Zoos and Aquariums in 2011. Accreditation is renewed every five years and this particular zoo was renewed in 2001 and 2006, after which accreditation was tabled in 2011 over the financial stability of the zoo. The zoo is inspected twice a year, and no violations have been found at the zoo since October 2013.
Authorities are working to determine exactly how the boy fell into the enclosure.
