Girl, 8, mauled by wolf after ‘entering animal’s enclosure’ at wildlife park
An eight-year-old girl was airlifted to hospital after being attacked by a wolf at a wildlife park in Germany, with police saying she was seriously injured in the animal enclosure.
Bild reports that the attack occurred today (28 October) at Wildpark Johannismühle, located in the town of Baruth/Mark which is situated south of the German capital of Berlin.
Police responded at around 9:30am local time to calls that a child had been attacked by animals, with a rescue helicopter deployed.
They told the outlet that a child was 'attacked and seriously injured by at least one wild animal in an animal enclosure while she was there with two other children and a staff member'.
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According to the wildlife park's website it doesn't officially open until 10am, and a message there now says it will remain closed until 2 November.
An investigation into the circumstances of the animal attack are ongoing, including why the children were inside the enclosure before the park's opening time, with Bild reporting that the girl suffered severe injuries to the head as a result of the attack.
Rescue workers and park staff are reportedly receiving support after the wolf attack.
Wildpark Johannismühle has both grey and arctic wolves among the many animals kept there, which also includes a veritable menagerie of other wildlife including bears, bison, lynx, deer and llamas to name just a few.
While they are popular attractions, wildlife parks can be extremely dangerous for guests who end up in close proximity to the animals.
In the UK a recent incident where a man entered a tiger's enclosure resulted in his death after the animal mauled him, though it has since been confirmed that the animal will not be put down as a result.
In that instance witnesses described the man climbing into the animal enclosure himself, with zookeepers doing 'everything they could' to try and scare off the tiger.
Staff had evacuated the park as a consequence of the tiger attack and several gunshots were fired into the air as they attempted to scare the animal away.
During that incident the animal did end up fleeing and hiding in a corner of the enclosure while the man's body was recovered, with a black screen being erected around it to keep out prying eyes.
The wildlife park there remained closed for several days afterwards in order to allow investigators to work.
LADbible Group have contacted Wildpark Johannismühle and the police for further comment.
Topics: Animals, World News
Joe Harker