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Man Found Dead in Zoo Enclosure after Possible Fight with Kangaroo

Incident Date:
05/13/2025
Location:
Horry County, SC - USA
Facility Name:
5 Star Farm
Facility Type:
Non-accredited Facility (RSZ)
Incident Category:
Animal Death (AD)
Species:
Other
Animal:
Kangaroo
Animal disposition:
Other

Summary:

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. – A man who was allegedly “roughhousing” with a kangaroo at a zoo was found dead in the animal’s enclosure.

According to a press release from the Horry County Police Department, the man was killed in “an apparent animal-related incident” with a “non-domesticated animal” within the animal’s zoo enclosure. An update to the release revealed that the animal enclosure in question contained wallabies and kangaroos.

The Guardian reported that local officials identified the victim as 52-year-old Eric Slate and said that his brother, who owned the small local zoo called 5 Star Farm, claimed the victim liked to enter the kangaroo enclosure and “roughhouse” with a kangaroo named Jack. Authorities did not confirm Slate’s exact cause of death. The investigation remains ongoing.

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