GIRL, 8, SERIOUSLY INJURED IN WOLF ATTACK AT GERMAN WILDLIFE PARK AS POLICE INVESTIGATE

The child was airlifted to hospital after an incident inside a wolf enclosure at Wildpark Johannismühle, south of Berlin. Two other children and a staff member were present, and authorities are investigating how the incident happened.

A young girl has been seriously injured after being attacked by wolves at a wildlife park in Germany, prompting an investigation and the temporary closure of the attraction.

The incident occurred on Wednesday morning, October 28, at Wildpark Johannismühle in Baruth/Mark, in the German state of Brandenburg, approximately 45 kilometres south of Berlin.

According to police, the eight-year-old was inside an animal enclosure with two other children and a staff member when at least one wolf attacked her.

Emergency services were called at around 9:30 a.m. The girl received medical attention before being transported by rescue helicopter to hospital for specialist treatment.

The two other children and the staff member were reported to be physically unharmed.

INCIDENT HAPPENED BEFORE THE PARK OPENED

Authorities later clarified that the children were participating in a pre-booked animal-keeper experience, rather than visiting the park during its normal opening hours.

According to the Teltow-Fläming district administration, the incident occurred while the animals were being given water inside their enclosure.

The programme allows children to accompany animal-care staff and observe aspects of their work. However, officials have not yet explained the precise circumstances that led to the girl being attacked.

The district administration said the enclosure involved housed polar wolves.

A staff member reportedly acted quickly during the incident, helping prevent the other two children from being injured.

The circumstances surrounding the group’s presence inside the enclosure, the supervision arrangements and the sequence of events are now under investigation.

POLICE EXAMINE HOW THE ATTACK HAPPENED

Police are interviewing witnesses and working to establish exactly what happened.

Investigators are also examining whether negligence may have played a role. No finding of wrongdoing has been announced, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The incident has raised questions about safety procedures during activities that bring visitors into close proximity to wild animals.

Authorities have not yet released a full account of how the wolf or wolves were able to attack the child, nor have they provided a detailed public update on her medical condition beyond confirming that she was seriously injured.

WILDLIFE PARK CLOSED WHILE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

Wildpark Johannismühle said it was cooperating fully with the relevant authorities.

In a statement reported by German media, the park expressed regret over the incident and said the affected family had its full support. The park declined to provide further details while the investigation was underway.

The attraction was closed following the incident. Officials said it would remain shut until the responsible authorities had completed the necessary checks and authorised its reopening.

The investigation also involves local environmental and veterinary authorities, which oversee aspects of the park’s operation and animal welfare.

The district administration said previous inspections had not identified safety-related deficiencies or animal-welfare problems. Those earlier findings do not, however, establish what happened during Wednesday’s incident.

A DISTRESSING DAY FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED

Emergency pastoral-care services were made available to people affected by the incident, including the children and those who witnessed what happened.

For the young girl’s family, the immediate priority remains her medical care and recovery. Her identity has not been publicly released in the reports cited here, and authorities have not provided further details about her condition.

The incident is a reminder that encounters involving wild animals require carefully managed safety procedures, even when they take place as part of organised educational activities.

As police continue their enquiries, many questions remain unanswered — including the precise circumstances inside the enclosure and whether any changes to safety procedures will be required.

For now, authorities are focused on establishing the facts, while the wildlife park remains closed pending official clearance.

Sources: RBB24, Teltow-Fläming district administration, German police reporting and The Sun.

This article reflects information published on October 28, 2026. The investigation is ongoing, and the child’s condition and the full circumstances of the incident have not been independently confirmed beyond the reports cited.