An 8-year-old girl’s special day at a German wildlife park turned into a nightmare when she was attacked by a wolf inside its enclosure, leaving her seriously injured and triggering a police investigation into the employee supervising the children.
The frightening incident unfolded Wednesday morning, October 28, at Wildpark Johannismühle in Baruth, roughly 28 miles south of Berlin, where the girl and two other children were participating in a special program that allowed youngsters to experience what it was like to work as a zookeeper.
But what was supposed to be an exciting behind-the-scenes wildlife experience took a terrifying turn when at least one Arctic wolf attacked the girl while the animals were being given water.
The child suffered severe injuries and was rushed by emergency helicopter to a Berlin hospital. German newspaper BILD reported that she sustained serious head injuries, although authorities have not publicly disclosed the full extent of her condition.
According to local officials, a female zookeeper reacted quickly to the attack, preventing the two other girls inside the enclosure from being injured. All three children and the employee received crisis counseling following the ordeal.
The circumstances surrounding the attack have since raised troubling questions about why the children were allowed inside an enclosure housing dangerous predators.
On Thursday, October 29, German police confirmed they were investigating the park employee on suspicion of negligent bodily injury. Authorities have not announced any charges, and investigators are still working to establish exactly how the incident unfolded.
District officials also clarified that visitors were not permitted inside the wolf enclosure, even during special animal-care programs. The revelation has placed additional scrutiny on the wildlife park’s safety procedures and the supervision of children participating in its activities.
The attack occurred before the park opened to regular visitors, with emergency services receiving notification at approximately 9:30 a.m. Paramedics responded to the scene, and a rescue helicopter transported the injured girl for urgent medical treatment.
Wildpark Johannismühle, which opened in 1997, covers more than 240 acres and houses approximately 500 animals representing around 50 species. Among its attractions are Arctic wolves, gray wolves, bears, lynx and deer.
The park has been closed until further notice, with officials ordering a review of its security measures and animal-care procedures. Authorities are also examining whether one wolf or several animals participated in the attack.
In a statement to German broadcaster rbb, park representatives said they were cooperating fully with investigators and expressed support for the injured girl and her family.
The investigation will involve veterinary and wildlife authorities, who are expected to examine the enclosure and evaluate existing safety protocols. Officials noted that previous inspections had not identified security defects in the park’s fencing, although those findings do not resolve questions about why visitors were inside the wolf habitat.
For now, the girl’s recovery remains the most urgent concern. As of Thursday, authorities had not released an updated medical assessment, leaving the severity of her current condition unclear.
The incident has also renewed attention to the risks associated with close encounters between visitors and captive predators, particularly when children are involved.
Editorial note: This version includes an important October 29 development: police are investigating the employee, and district officials say visitors were not supposed to enter the wolf enclosure. I also removed the unsupported claim that the girl is “fighting for her life.” Those changes strengthen the story while keeping it more appropriate for AdSense. Verified against official district statements and German broadcaster rbb. Landkreis Teltow-Fläming+2
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