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Toddler Injured After Slipping Into Wolf Enclosure at Hersheypark Zoo
Parents charged with endangering the welfare of children after incident at Pennsylvania theme park
Apr. 8, 2026 at 12:23pm
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A toddler suffered minor injuries after squeezing through a fence and making contact with a wolf at the ZooAmerica exhibit within Hersheypark in Pennsylvania. The child's parents have been charged with endangering the welfare of children, as they were reportedly distracted by their cellphones 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 potentially access dangerous animal habitats if not closely monitored. It also highlights the need for robust barriers and enclosures to protect both visitors and wildlife.
The details
According to police, the 1.5-year-old child went through a small opening in a wooden barrier fence and entered a restricted area near the wolf exhibit. The child then reached a 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, were charged with endangering the welfare of children, as they were reportedly distracted by their cellphones and walked 25-30 feet away from the child prior to the incident.
- The incident occurred shortly before noon on Saturday, April 5, 2026 at the ZooAmerica exhibit within Hersheypark.
- The parents await a preliminary hearing later this month on the misdemeanor charges.
The players
Derry Township Police
The local police department that investigated the incident and filed charges against the parents.
Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo
The district attorney who carefully considered the decision to file criminal charges against the parents.
ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park
The zoo within the Hersheypark entertainment complex where the incident took place, home to three gray wolves.
Hersheypark
The sprawling chocolate-themed amusement park in Hershey, Pennsylvania, which includes the ZooAmerica exhibit where the incident occurred.
What they’re saying
“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.”
— Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo
“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 charges of endangering the welfare of children.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the need for heightened vigilance and safety protocols at theme park zoos to prevent young children from accessing dangerous animal habitats, as well as the importance of parental supervision to ensure the wellbeing of visitors.
