wellnessfitproPolice are investigating a staff member at Germany’s Wildpark Johannismühle for negligent bodily harm following the Wednesday, Oct. 28, incident
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Johannesmuehle-Wildlife-Park-entrance-cordoned-off-following-a-wolfs-attack-on-a-child-and-wolf-split-102926-2f0e1a2e1853440193d2cf85c5f581e9.jpg "Following a wolf's attack on a child, the entrance to the Johannesmuehle Wildlife Park has been cordoned off with barrier tape; an Arctic wolf in an wolf enclosure")
Credit: Carsten Koall/dpa via AP; Oed\ullstein bild via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- An 8-year-old was attacked by at least one wolf at a wildlife park in Germany on Wednesday, Oct. 28
- The attack — in which she sustained serious injuries and was subsequently airlifted to the hospital — occurred during a children’s zookeeper event before Wildpark Johannismühle, about 45 miles south of Berlin, officially opened
- Police told PEOPLE a staff member is under investigation on suspicion of negligent bodily harm, while the park remains closed through Nov. 2
An 8-year-old girl was left seriously injured after an Arctic wolf attack at a wildlife park in Germany, officials have said.
The attack occurred during a special zookeeper event for children at Wildpark Johannismühle, just outside the town of Baruth/Mark, about 45 miles south of Berlin, on Wednesday, Oct. 28, according to a news release from Teltow-Fläming district officials. Per German newspaper Bild, it happened at about 9 a.m. local time, before the park officially opened.
Credit: Oed\ullstein bild via Getty
Officials said she was “injured by a wolf, or possibly several wolves,” while staff were giving water to the animals in the wildlife enclosure. First responders arrived and treated the girl before a rescue helicopter transported her to the hospital.
The girl’s current condition has not been made public, but Bild reported that she sustained severe head injuries.
“The zookeeper’s quick action prevented further harm to two other girls who were also present,” officials said, adding that four people, including three children, were being emotionally supported by chaplains following the incident.
Credit: Arne Dedert/picture alliance via Getty
The park, which keeps both Arctic and gray wolves, closed for the rest of the day and its website states it will remain closed until Monday, Nov. 2.
In a news release, the Brandenburg Police said officers are looking into the incident. Officers also told PEOPLE that the staff member present at the time is under investigation on suspicion of negligent bodily injury.
Credit: Carsten Koall/dpa via AP
The Lower Nature Conservation Authority and the Veterinary and Food Inspection Office will receive a report from the police, which will help them determine any potential next steps, district officials said. “The Veterinary and Food Inspection Office will visit the wildlife park as soon as possible and conduct an on-site inspection to ensure compliance with animal welfare regulations.”
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They added, “A professional assessment of the health and behavior of the wolf, or of any wolves potentially involved, in connection with the incident is not yet available. Such assessments will be subject to further investigation.”
PEOPLE reached out to Wildpark Johannismühle and the Brandenburg Police for comment but did not immediately hear back.
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