The devastated family of a young child allegedly thrown into a crocodile pen at a zoo have broken their silence.

The horrifying scene unfolded 100 kilometres north of London at Johnsons of Old Hurst, a zoo, when a three-year-old boy was allegedly picked up and “thrown” into an animal enclosure by a man not known to him on June 18.

Cambridgeshire Police attended the zoo in Huntingdon around 1pm to find he was attacked by at least one crocodile, according to the BBC

Zoo staff removed the child from the crocodile pen and he was given medical treatment at the scene before being rushed to hospital.

On July 1, the boy’s family released a statement, confirming that he was still in hospital.

“We would like to thank the staff at the zoo who rescued our son from the enclosure,” they wrote, as published by The Mirror.

“We are truly grateful for the public support and well-wishes we have received, as well as to everyone who has been directly involved in our son’s care and recovery in hospital.

“Our attention remains focused on his recovery and supporting him through this extremely challenging and prolonged period of time.”

Police arrested a 30-year-old British man on suspicion of attempted murder soon after the incident.

The man, reported to have learning disabilities, was released on bail after being deemed unfit for interview by the police.

Police said they believed the man was not known to the child and he was visiting the zoo with carers.

A GoFundMe page has been established by the boy’s grandmother and has raised almost £20,000 ($A38,538) in two days.

In the description of the fundraiser, Lucky Lockett said the funds would help the family navigate the “difficult time”.

“After undergoing multiple surgeries, his condition is now stable, but he faces a long road to recovery,” she wrote.

“His parents are currently by his side in hospital, supporting him through both immediate and ongoing care physically and psychologically.”

Ms Lockett said the child would require rehabilitation and donations would help support that, as well as providing financial stability for the family.

Any excess money would be donated to the Addebrooke’s Trust to help support “other families facing similar challenges” at the same hospital, she said.

“The family are deeply grateful for the kindness, prayers, and well wishes they have received,” Ms Lockett wrote.

“They kindly ask that their son’s privacy is respected and that he is not identified or named in the media or on social media.”

On its website, the zoo says it “houses over 100 fascinating animals”, including crocodiles, lions and a Bengal tiger.

It is understood that the crocodile enclosure is housed in a converted cattle barn with elevated walkways.

The website also laid out the family-owned farm’s interest in conservation had led to a fascination with crocodiles.

“We are hoping to continue to develop our crocodile farm here at Johnsons of Old Hurst to be a part of this remarkable conservation effort,” it read.

It became the UK’s first crocodile farm in 2006.