3-year-old hurt after falling into Little Rock Zoo jaguar exhibit

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- A three-year-old boy is in critical condition after falling into the jaguar exhibit at the Little Rock Zoo, a hospital spokesman says.

Arkansas Children's Hospital spokesman Dan McFadden said in a news release Friday that the child's guardian has asked that the child's name and other information not be released.

The incident happened shortly before 11 o'clock in the morning, local time, CBS affiliate KTHV in Little Rock reported.

Zoo spokeswoman Susan Altrui says staff members used a fire extinguisher to keep the jaguars from approaching the toddler after he fell. The child was pulled to safety by a zoo employee who'd lowered a ladder into the exhibit.

Altrui says the child was conscious and responding at the time and was taken to Arkansas Children's Hospital. Officials have not said how the toddler fell into the exhibit or specify the nature of his injuries.

KTHV reporter Alyssa Raymond spoke to witnesses at the scene.

Little Rock City Manager Bruce Moore says zoo employees followed proper procedures in the incident and that a full investigation will be conducted.