A Pennsylvania couple has been charged with endangering the welfare of children after their 17-month-old child was injured near the wolf enclosure at ZooAmerica over the weekend. The zoo is a popular destination within the larger Hersheypark theme park.
The incident report from the Derry Township Police Department states that the parents, who are from Lititz, Pennsylvania, are believed to have walked around 25 to 30 feet away from the child to sit on benches, and at that point, allegedly became distracted by their cellphones. The toddler slipped through a small opening in a wooden barrier perimeter fence and reached the metal fence surrounding the gray wolf enclosure.
“From the injuries sustained, it appears as though one of the wolves in the enclosure instinctively and naturally grabbed onto the child’s hand with its mouth. Several bystanders intervened and helped pull the child away,” the police statement noted.
Court records show that both Carrie B. Sortor, 43, and Stephen J.B. Wilson, 61, are awaiting a preliminary hearing on April 28.
The zoo said in a statement that the wolf’s response “is consistent with natural animal behavior, and was not a sign of aggression.”
“Our habitats are designed with multiple layers of protection, and clear signage and barriers are in place to help ensure safe viewing. Guests are expected to remain within designated areas and closely supervise children at all times,” the statement continued. “The child was never inside the wolf’s enclosure, and we are relieved the injuries were minor.”
ZooAmerica currently houses three gray wolves, according to its website: a male wolf named Twister and two female sisters, Hazel and Freya.
Hersheypark made headlines last year when video footage of a lost boy wandering along a non-operational monorail line went viral. The child was rescued by a heroic park visitor and sustained no injuries.
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