Toddler’s hand gets caught in wolf’s jaw in Pennsylvania zoo, all while the parents were ‘looking at their phones’

Parents Carrie Sortor, 43, and Stephen Wilson, 61, both from Lititz, are now facing charges of endangering the welfare of children after their 18-month-old toddler suffered minor injuries when its hand became trapped in a wolf’s jaw at Zoo America in Pennsylvania, as reported by WGAL. The alarming incident occurred on the morning of Saturday, April 4, when the young child managed to access a restricted area, reportedly while the parents were distracted and looking at their phones nearby.

Chaos erupted at the zoo when the inquisitive infant somehow crawled under a perimeter fence, making its way toward the primary metal barrier that surrounds the wolf enclosure. These habitats are typically designed with multiple layers of protection to keep both visitors and animals safe. Despite these safeguards, the toddler was able to slide a hand through the outer fence, and that’s when one of the grey wolves, housed within, made contact.

According to Derry Township police, one of the animals “instinctively and naturally grabbed onto the child’s hand with its mouth.” Now, you might think “aggression,” but Zoo America has been quick to clarify that this was an example of the apex predator’s “investigatory behaviour.” A spokesperson for the zoo explained that wolves often investigate, test, and interact with unfamiliar objects by “mouthing,” which can involve gently taking something into their mouth without any intent to cause injury. They emphasized that this type of response is entirely consistent with natural animal behavior and wasn’t a sign of aggression.

This whole situation is a stark reminder that even in seemingly controlled environments like a zoo, you’ve got to be hyper-aware of your surroundings when little ones are involved

It was several concerned onlookers who first noticed the dangerous situation unfolding. These quick-thinking bystanders reportedly had to intervene, helping to pull the child away from the wolf’s grip. Meanwhile, the toddler’s parents were allegedly seated on a bench about 25 to 30 feet away, seemingly engrossed in their cellphones. Police reports indicate that it was only when they heard the commotion coming from the enclosure that they finally “looked up.” This alleged inattention forms a core part of the charges now being brought against them.

Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, the company that operates Zoo America, released a statement confirming the incident. They expressed relief that the child’s injuries were minor, reiterating that an unsupervised 18-month-old was able to crawl under an exterior perimeter fence, reach the wolf habitat’s primary enclosure, and put a hand through.

They echoed the zoo’s stance on the wolf’s behavior, stressing that it was consistent with natural animal behavior and not an act of aggression. The safety of guests and the well-being of the animals are always their highest priorities, they added, reminding everyone that guests are expected to remain within designated areas and supervise children closely at all times. It’s a critical point because even with robust barriers, human vigilance is always the first line of defense against freak incidents in zoos.

Zoo America is home to three fascinating grey wolves: a male named Twister, and two females, Hazel and Freya. These animals are incredibly communicative, using a complex array of body postures, facial expressions, scent marking, and various vocalizations to interact with each other and their environment. They’re also surprisingly fast, capable of reaching speeds of up to 40 miles per hour when they’re chasing prey.

Following an initial investigation, the Derry Township Police Department, in collaboration with the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office, decided to charge Carrie Sortor and Stephen Wilson with one count of endangering the welfare of children. The outcome of these charges will undoubtedly be closely watched, as it highlights the serious responsibility parents carry when supervising young children in public, especially in environments with wild animals.

Police investigators are actively seeking more information from anyone who might have witnessed the incident, assisted the child, or captured any video footage. If you have any relevant details, you’re encouraged to contact Sgt. Dennis Eckenrode via phone at 717-534-2202 or by email at [email protected].