Toddler Injured After Entering Wolf Enclosure at Hersheypark Zoo

Parents charged with endangering child's welfare after incident at Pennsylvania theme park

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:18am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a wolf's paw print in the dirt, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying a sense of the sudden, dangerous encounter between the toddler and the wolf.A stark, forensic-style image of a wolf's paw print highlights the inherent dangers when young children come into contact with wild animals, even in a controlled zoo setting.Harrisburg Today

A toddler suffered minor injuries after entering a restricted wolf exhibit area at the ZooAmerica section of Hersheypark in Pennsylvania. The child's parents have been charged with endangering the welfare of children, as they were allegedly distracted by their phones when the incident occurred.

Why it matters

This incident raises concerns about safety protocols and parental supervision at theme park zoos, where young children can quickly find themselves in dangerous situations if left unattended, even briefly. It also highlights the potential risks posed by wild animals in captivity and the need for robust safety measures to protect both visitors and the animals.

The details

According to police, the 1.5-year-old child was able to squeeze through a small opening in a wooden barrier fence and enter the restricted area near the wolf exhibit. The child then reached the chain-link fence enclosure and was briefly grabbed by one of the wolves, sustaining minor injuries. Bystanders intervened and helped pull the child away. The parents, who live nearby in Lititz, Pennsylvania, have been charged with endangering the welfare of children, as they were allegedly distracted by their phones and walked about 25-30 feet away from the child shortly before the incident occurred.

  • The incident happened shortly before noon on Saturday, April 5, 2026 at the ZooAmerica section of Hersheypark in Pennsylvania.
  • The parents await a preliminary hearing later this month on the misdemeanor charge.

The players

ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park

A zoo that is part of the Hersheypark entertainment complex in Hershey, Pennsylvania, which features a wolf exhibit.

Derry Township Police

The local police department that investigated the incident and filed charges against the parents.

Fran Chardo

The Dauphin County District Attorney who said the decision to file criminal charges was carefully considered.

Garth W. Warner

The Derry Township Police Chief who commented on the incident.

The parents

A couple from Lititz, Pennsylvania who have been charged with endangering the welfare of children.

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What they’re saying

“From the injuries sustained, it appears as though one of the wolves in the enclosure instinctively and naturally grabbed onto the child's hand with its mouth. Several bystanders intervened and helped pull the child away.”

— Derry Township Police

“We looked at a lot of factors — the age of the child, the circumstances, how diligent you have to be because it's potentially dangerous. We looked at it closely.”

— Fran Chardo, Dauphin County District Attorney

“A wolf approached and made contact with the child's hand. This was not a forceful or aggressive action, but rather a brief, investigatory behavior consistent with how wild canines interact with unfamiliar objects in their environment.”

— ZooAmerica spokesperson

What’s next

The parents await a preliminary hearing later this month on the misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of children.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for heightened safety protocols and vigilant parental supervision at theme park zoos, where young children can quickly find themselves in dangerous situations if left unattended, even briefly. It also underscores the inherent risks posed by wild animals in captivity and the importance of robust measures to protect both visitors and the animals.