Police say a wolf seriously injured an eight-year-old girl at a Brandenburg wildlife park

The attack

On Wednesday, 28 October, an eight-year-old girl was seriously injured in an attack by one or more animals at Wildpark Johannismühle, a privately run wildlife park near Baruth/Mark in Brandenburg. Police said she had been in an animal enclosure in the morning with two other children and a female staff member, and that the other people present were not physically hurt. Die Welt, citing Bild, put the attack at around 9:30. A rescue helicopter flew the girl to hospital, and Bild reported that she suffered serious head injuries and was taken to an accident hospital in Berlin. A police spokeswoman described her as a visitor to the park. Early reports said police had not yet given the child's age or the nature of her injuries.

Which animal was involved

Early police statements did not name the animal. Die Welt quoted a police spokeswoman saying that one or two animals had presumably attacked the child. Earlier police statements had also not confirmed a Bild report that a wolf was responsible. By the afternoon, however, a police spokesman told dpa that the attack had come from a wolf. The park's website lists grey and polar wolves among its animals, alongside deer, roe deer, a brown bear and a lynx.

Investigation and park response

Police have opened an investigation and are examining whether negligence was involved. They also plan to question witnesses, and pastoral care workers are on site. The park said it was cooperating fully with all authorities.

“We are cooperating fully with all authorities.”

The park said it could not give further details because of the ongoing proceedings. Its website shows the park as closed, with no reason given. When reporters called, the park said it did not want to comment on the incident.

“We deeply regret the incident, and the affected family has our full support.”

The investigation remains open, and no further details on the animal involved or the girl's condition have been published in the reports available.