Toddler Injured By Wolf At Zoo America

An 18-month-old child was injured Saturday morning after crawling under a fence at ZooAmerica in Hershey, Pa., and reaching toward a wolf enclosure, the zoo said.

The toddler, who was not being supervised at the time, slipped past the park’s perimeter fencing and approached the wolves’ primary metal barrier, according to a ZooAmerica statement. The child reached a hand through the enclosure when a wolf moved in.

“A wolf approached and made contact with the child’s hand,” the zoo said. “This type of response is consistent with natural animal behavior, and was not a sign of aggression.”

ZooAmerica said the child was never inside the wolf enclosure. The zoo did not identify the family and did not provide further details about the injuries, describing them as minor.

The zoo said visitor safety is a top priority, but stressed that guests are expected to “remain within designated areas and closely supervise children at all times.”

“Our habitats are designed with multiple layers of protection, and clear signage and barriers are in place to help ensure safe viewing,” the statement said.

ZooAmerica is part of the Hersheypark entertainment complex in Hershey, which also includes an amusement park and water attractions. The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and participates in the Species Survival Plan program, aimed at maintaining sustainable, genetically diverse populations for designated species.

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