Toddler Injured by Wolf at Pennsylvania Zoo

Child reached through fence and was bitten on hand, officials say injuries were minor

Apr. 6, 2026 at 1:10am

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A toddler was lightly injured by a wolf at the ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park in Hershey, Pennsylvania after the child crawled under a fence and stuck his hand into the animal's enclosure. The zoo said the child was never inside the wolf habitat and the injuries were minor, characterizing the wolf's response as consistent with natural animal behavior and not aggression.

Why it matters

The incident raises concerns about zoo safety protocols and the need for close supervision of young children at public attractions, especially those featuring potentially dangerous wild animals.

The details

According to the zoo's statement, the 'unsupervised' toddler reached the metal enclosure around the wolf habitat on Saturday morning and put his hand through, at which point 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.' The zoo emphasized that its habitats are designed with 'multiple layers of protection' and 'clear signage and barriers' to ensure safe viewing, but that guests are expected to 'remain within designated areas and closely supervise children at all times.'

  • The incident occurred on Saturday morning.

The players

ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park

A zoo that is part of the Hersheypark entertainment complex in Hershey, Pennsylvania, featuring a variety of North American wildlife including three gray wolves.

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What’s next

The zoo said it is reviewing the incident and its safety protocols to determine if any changes are needed to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of close parental supervision at zoos and other attractions featuring wild animals, as well as the need for robust safety measures to protect both guests and the animals themselves.