An eight-year-old girl was seriously injured after being attacked by wolves during a "zookeeper for a day" session at Johannismühle Wildlife Park in Baruth, Brandenburg, Germany. Police are investigating a female staff member who accompanied the children into the enclosure.
Incident during children's zoo experience
The attack took place on Wednesday morning. The girl entered the wolf enclosure with two other children and a professional guide, according to reports. Wolves set upon the child, leaving her severely injured before the situation was brought under control.
The park remained closed following the incident. German media reported that the female employee has been charged with negligent bodily harm. A police spokesperson stated the investigation is focused on the employee who accompanied the children into the enclosure, according to BZ-Berlin. The exact sequence of events remains unclear, and police have already interviewed witnesses.
Emergency response and injuries
Emergency services were called, and the girl was airlifted by rescue helicopter to the Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin in Marzahn. She is said to have sustained severe head injuries and is in a serious but not currently life-threatening condition. The remaining two children escaped physical injury but were treated for severe shock, according to Bild.
A spokesperson for the West Police Directorate confirmed that officers were alerted at 9.30am.
Park closed pending investigation
The park has been closed since the incident, with cordon tape visible at the entrance and a sign on the door citing "technical reasons" for the closure. It will remain closed "until further notice" and will only be permitted to reopen once the relevant authority grants approval.
Police and the Teltow-Fläming district administration have launched a comprehensive investigation into how and why children were permitted inside an enclosure containing apex predators and whether critical safety protocols were violated.
A park map reveals grey wolves and polar wolves reside there, alongside brown bears and lynx. The park's website promotes exclusive animal encounters for children, including the line: "Maybe you would like to feed wolves."
A local resident from Klasdorf told reporters: "You always felt safe there, even with the children. I can't explain how this could have happened."
