The parents, from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, were charged Sunday by police with one count each of misdemeanor child endangerment, according to multiple reports.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Police say the parents moved about 25 to 30 feet away from the toddler toward a seating area and were looking at their cellphones at the time of the incident, reports say. Fox News Digital reached out to the Derry Township Police Department for more details.\u00a0<\/p>\n
NATIONAL PARK DEATH EXPOSES REPEATED RULE VIOLATIONS AS TOURISTS TAKE DANGEROUS RISKS<\/a><\/p>\n “Based on our review, an unsupervised 18-month old child was able to crawl under an exterior perimeter fence, travel to the primary metal enclosure surrounding the wolf habitat, and put his hand through that fence,” ZooAmerica said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital, in response to a query about the incident.<\/p>\n “A wolf approached and made contact with the child\u2019s hand<\/a>. This type of response is consistent with natural animal behavior, and was not a sign of aggression,” the zoo’s statement continued.\u00a0<\/p>\n The parents of an “unsupervised” toddler are being charged after the child crawled under a protective outer fence at an exhibit at Hersheypark’s ZooAmerica in Pennsylvania and was injured by a wolf. (iStock)<\/p>\n “The child was never inside the wolf\u2019s enclosure, and we are relieved the injuries were minor,” the zoo said.\u00a0<\/p>\n The zoo\u2019s wolf pack<\/a> consists of three animals: a male named Twister and two female sisters, Hazel and Freya.\u00a0<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES<\/a><\/p>\n Officials have not identified which wolf was involved in the incident.<\/p>\n Injuries to visitors \u2014 especially children \u2014 from animals in accredited U.S. zoos<\/a> are considered rare, and strict safety standards, including secure enclosures and multiple barriers, are designed to prevent direct contact with animals, according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), based in Maryland.\u00a0<\/p>\n A gray wolf is seen above. The zoo\u2019s wolf pack at Hersheypark consists of three gray wolves (not pictured): a male named Twister and two female sisters, Hazel and Freya.\u00a0 (AP Photo\/Dawn Villella, File)<\/p>\n When incidents do occur, they typically involve unusual situations<\/a>, such as visitors bypassing barriers or participating in close-contact experiences, rather than normal zoo visits.<\/p>\n “Most zoos do their utmost to keep the public safe,” Jami LoVullo, founder and president of the Animal Protection Agency and based in California, told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER<\/a><\/p>\n Zoos typically require young children to be closely supervised at all times \u2014 and many make this an explicit rule.\u00a0<\/p>\n Institutions such as the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo<\/a> and Louisville Zoo state that children must remain under adult supervision during visits.<\/p>\n Hersheypark’s ZooAmerica said the wolf\u2019s contact with the child\u2019s hand was “not a sign of aggression,” but instead was “consistent with natural animal behavior.” (iStock)<\/p>\n “There are generally all kinds of signs warning of any danger and asking for the public not to enter these areas. It would be up to the parents to follow them,” LoVullo added.\u00a0<\/p>\n Zoos strictly prohibit crossing barriers or reaching into enclosures, emphasizing that these safeguards are in place to protect<\/a> both visitors and animals.<\/p>\n TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ<\/a><\/p>\n Organizations such as the AZA stress that while facilities are designed with safety in mind, parents and guardians<\/a> remain the first line of supervision.<\/p>\n “The safety of our guests and the wellbeing of our animals at ZooAmerica are always our highest priorities,” said ZooAmerica.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Guests are expected to remain within designated areas and closely supervise children at all times,” ZooAmerica said. (iStock)<\/p>\n “Our habitats are designed with multiple layers of protection, and clear signage and barriers are in place to help ensure safe viewing.”<\/p>\n![\"Entrance](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Hersheypark-entrance.jpg\")
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<\/p>\n![\"Young](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Youngchildhurtbywolfatzooamerica.jpeg\")
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