Child Enters Animal Enclosure at Milwaukee Zoo
Incident Date:
08/26/2026
Location:
Milwaukee, WI - USA
Facility Name:
Milwaukee County Zoo
Facility Type:
Accredited AZA Facility (AZA)
Incident Category:
Species:
Other
Animal:
pelicans, vultures, southern ground hornbills, and gazelles
Animal disposition:
Other
Summary:
MILWAUKEE, WI – A child entered an animal habitat at the Milwaukee County Zoo on Monday, Aug. 24, prompting staff to activate emergency protocols in the African Savanna Yard.
The zoo says a staff member saw the child inside the habitat and radioed for help. Those protocols included getting guests out of the area and moving the animals off the habitat.
Alleged cellphone video shared online appears to show the child chasing a bird before a relative climbs into the habitat and helps the child out using a ladder.
The zoo says pelicans, vultures, southern ground hornbills and gazelles are among the animals that call the African Savanna Yard home.
Action take by Born Free USA:
Notes: