Parents Charged After Child Injured by Wolf at ZooAmerica

Toddler squeezed through fence at Hershey zoo exhibit, leading to charges against guardians.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 12:19am

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Derry Township police have charged the parents of a toddler who was injured after the child squeezed through a fence around the wolf enclosure at ZooAmerica in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The incident occurred around 11:35 AM on Saturday at the zoo adjacent to Hersheypark.

Why it matters

This incident raises concerns about zoo safety protocols and parental responsibility when visiting public attractions with young children. It also highlights the potential risks of allowing unsupervised access to dangerous animal exhibits.

The details

According to police, the toddler was able to get through the fence surrounding the wolf enclosure at ZooAmerica. The child suffered injuries from the encounter with the wolf before being rescued. Authorities have now filed charges against the parents for their alleged failure to properly supervise the child.

  • The incident occurred around 11:35 AM on Saturday, April 5, 2026.

The players

ZooAmerica

A zoo located adjacent to Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania, featuring a variety of animal exhibits including a wolf enclosure.

Derry Township Police

The local law enforcement agency that investigated the incident at ZooAmerica and filed charges against the parents.

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What’s next

The charges against the parents are pending, and authorities will likely review zoo safety protocols to determine if any changes are needed to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a tragic reminder for parents to closely supervise young children at public attractions, especially those featuring dangerous wild animals. It also highlights the importance of robust safety measures at zoos to protect both visitors and the animals in their care.