HERSHEY, Pa. (AP) — An incident at the ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, part of the Hersheypark theme park in Pennsylvania, involved a minor injury to a toddler caused by a gray wolf. The event occurred when the child, unsupervised, crawled under a fence and reached into the enclosure of the wolf, prompting a response from the animal.

According to zoo officials, the toddler was never fully inside the wolf habitat, which is designed with multiple layers of protection. The zoo confirmed that the child, who was not named, sustained light injuries when a wolf approached and made contact with the child's hand. Officials described these injuries as minor but did not provide further details.

The zoo emphasized that the incident reflects natural animal behavior rather than aggression. In a statement, they reiterated the importance of safety measures in place, including clear signage and barriers intended to ensure safe viewing experiences for visitors. They stressed that guests must remain within designated areas and supervise their children closely at all times.

ZooAmerica, which features three gray wolves within its premises, is an integral part of the Hershey entertainment complex, famous for its chocolate-themed amusement park attractions. The incident with the toddler is not the first time the park has received media attention; last summer, a boy wandering a monorail line above a crowd was rescued by a visitor who jumped onto the rails from a building. Fortunately, that child also emerged unscathed and was reunited with his family.

The occurrence serves as a reminder of the potential hazards that can arise in environments where wildlife is present, especially for young children who may not fully understand the boundaries and safety protocols designed to protect both them and the animals. The zoo is committed to enforcing measures that promote visitor safety while allowing them to experience and learn about North American wildlife in an interactive setting.