A three-year-old boy is in a critical condition after being mauled by two jaguars when he fell into the animal's enclosure at the Little Rock Zoo in Arkansas.
The boy's father and grandfather threw a water hose at the jaguars in an effort to distract them, but they only let go of the toddler when zookeepers used a fire extinguisher to push them away.
The boy is being treated for a fractured skull, extensive scalp lacerations and puncture wounds, according to ArkansasMatters.com.
A spokesman for the City of Little Rock said the attack had happened at around 10.45am, and confirmed zookeepers had intervened with a fire extinguisher.
Once they were able to keep the cats back, staff lowered a ladder into the enclosure to reach the child who was "conscious and responding" before he was taken to hospital.
City manager Bruce Moore added: "Our thought 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."
Source - Mirror
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