A child was injured after crawling under a fence and sticking his hand into a wolf enclosure at ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park in Pennsylvania, according to the zoo.
The incident took place on Saturday, April 4. A spokesperson for Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company confirmed the news to USA TODAY. The 18-month-old child, who was not being supervised, crawled under an exterior fence and made their way to the primary metal enclosure of the wolf habitat. There, the child reached through the fence and put their hand inside.
“A wolf approached and made contact with the child’s hand,” the zoo spokesperson explained. “This kind of response is typical animal behavior and is not a sign of aggression.”
The zoo clarified that at no point was the child inside the wolf’s enclosure. The child’s injuries were minor, though no further details about the incident were shared, and the zoo did not identify the child or their family.
ZooAmerica emphasized that the safety of visitors and the well-being of the animals are top priorities. The zoo also reminded visitors that they are expected to remain in designated areas and closely supervise children at all times. “Our habitats are designed with multiple layers of protection, and clear signage and barriers are in place to ensure safe viewing,” the spokesperson added.
ZooAmerica is located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, about 95 miles west of Philadelphia. It is part of Hersheypark, a 121-acre family amusement park with over 70 rides and attractions, including a water park.
The zoo spans 11 acres and is home to over 200 animals native to North America, including three gray wolves. ZooAmerica is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
