Toddler Injured After Entering Wolf Enclosure at Pennsylvania Zoo

The child climbed under a fence and stuck their hand into the wolf exhibit at ZooAmerica.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 8:03pm

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An 18-month-old child was injured after climbing under a fence and sticking their hand into a wolf enclosure at ZooAmerica, part of the Hersheypark complex in Pennsylvania. The incident occurred on Saturday when the toddler was left unsupervised and accessed the wolf exhibit.

Why it matters

This incident raises concerns about zoo safety protocols and the need for proper supervision of young children around dangerous animal exhibits. It also highlights the potential risks of allowing public access to areas that house wild predators.

The details

According to officials, the toddler climbed under an exterior fence surrounding the wolf enclosure and stuck their hand through the inner fence. The wolves' response, which involved biting the child's hand, was described as "consistent with natural animal behavior, and was not a sign of aggression." The child was taken to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries.

  • The incident occurred on Saturday, April 5, 2026.

The players

ZooAmerica

A zoo that is part of the Hersheypark complex in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

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The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of strict safety measures and close supervision when young children are near wild animal exhibits. It also raises questions about the design and security of zoo enclosures to prevent unauthorized access.