An eight-year-old child was airlifted to a hospital by a rescue helicopter on Wednesday following a severe wolf attack inside an enclosure at the Johannismühle Wildlife Park, located south of Berlin, according to globalnews.ca.
Children’s Zookeeper Day Interrupted Inside the Wolf Enclosure
The incident unfolded during morning hours before the regular opening of the wildlife park. The facility was actively hosting a specialized zookeeper day for children when the attack took place inside the wolf enclosure as the animals were being given water, a news release issued by the park stated.
Park staff intervened quickly, a response authorities confirmed successfully prevented two other children from being attacked. Emergency services arrived rapidly at the scene to administer immediate medical treatment to the injured child prior to the helicopter transport.
Emergency Chaplaincy and Psychological Support Deployed
Following the attack, emergency chaplaincy teams were dispatched to care for four people, including three children. The wildlife park announced plans to provide psychological support for everyone affected, alongside a scheduled debriefing session involving relevant authorities, security organizations, and a post-incident support team.
Management expressed deep sadness over the event, which potentially involved several wolves. The park was immediately closed to the public and will remain shut until further notice.
Police Reports and Forthcoming Veterinary Inspections
While supporting those directly impacted, park officials noted that the primary focus has shifted to a factual investigation. Police are preparing a report for the Lower Nature Conservation Authority and the Veterinary and Food Inspection Office to determine the appropriate course of action.
The Veterinary and Food Inspection Office is scheduled to visit the facility soon to conduct an on-site inspection. This review will assess compliance with animal welfare regulations while also evaluating the health and behavior of the wolf or wolves involved.
Permit History and Prior Safety Checks
The park holds a legal permit to exhibit animals, including polar wolves and standard wolves. During the facility’s last inspection in July 2025, officials found no safety-related defects in the fences or enclosures—which staff check every morning—and identified no animal welfare violations, according to the zoo. A newly planned inspection will re-evaluate those prior findings.
