Photo: brunocoelhopt / iStock / Getty Images
A toddler was injured by a wolf at ZooAmerica in Hersheypark, Pennsylvania, on Saturday (April 4) after crawling under a fence and reaching through the wolf enclosure while reportedly unsupervised, according to the Derry Township Police Department. Police said the child's parents appeared distracted by their cellphones, leaving the 17-month-old to slip through a small opening in a wooden barrier and enter a restricted area near the wolf habitat.
According to a statement from ZooAmerica, the child was never inside the wolf habitat but managed to put a hand through the metal enclosure, where a wolf "approached and made contact with the child’s hand." The zoo emphasized that this interaction was "consistent with natural animal behavior, and was not a sign of aggression." Several bystanders quickly intervened to help pull the child away from the animal.
The toddler’s injuries were described as minor, though specific details were not released. The zoo said it has "multiple layers of protection, clear signage, and barriers" to ensure safety, and that visitors are expected to closely supervise children at all times.
Police identified the parents as Carrie B. Sortor, 43, and Stephen J. B. Wilson, 61. Both have been charged with endangering the welfare of children. According to police statements, the parents had walked about 25 to 30 feet away to a seating area and were focused on their phones when the incident occurred.
ZooAmerica, accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, reiterated its commitment to visitor safety and animal welfare. The investigation is ongoing, and police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or took video to contact them.