Jaguars Maul Child After He Accidentally Falls Into Animals' Pit in Arkansas's Little Rock Zoo

A three-year-old child has been taken to hospital after he was attacked by two jaguars when he accidentally fell into the animals' enclosure in a US zoo. The child's condition remains critical.

The child's name has been withheld by authorities and family. The incident took place in Arkansas's Little Rock Zoo.

"The black cat had bit the child on the foot area and the yellow jaguar had bit the clothing near the neck area," read the police report, quoting the grandfather, according to CNN.

The zoo authorities, who swiftly responded to an emergency call, managed to hold off the animals using fire extinguishers.

The child is said to have slipped when one of the family members made him stand on the railing to take a picture.

Shortly after the boy fell into the pit, panic gripped family members and others who hurled objects at the animals which began to circle the toddler.

Local reports suggest the child was admitted to the hospital with extensive lacerations and skull fracture.

It is not known whether the injuries are the result of the fall into the 15-foot-deep pit or the animals' attack.

"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," Little Rock City manager Bruce Moore told local news outlet Kark.

Recently, a white tiger mauled a teenager to death in a zoo in Delhi, India, after the boy fell into the animal's enclosure.