Report: Child bit by sloth at NC family-run zoo

A sloth bit a child at a family-run zoo in Harnett County, a United States Department of Agriculture inspection report said.

According to the USDA report filed in April, it happened at the Aloha Safari Park. It is unclear when the incident happened.

The report said the child was bitten on the face during a “public interaction event,” where visitors can hold a sloth in their lap while an attendant supervises.

A manager reported that while the attendant was talking with a parent, the child who was holding the sloth attempted to kiss it or hug it when the sloth bit them.

The child was treated for a small injury to her chin, the report said.

Visitors are told to keep their faces away from the animals during these interactions, according to the report.

The zoo has discontinued public interactions with the sloth, the report said. The sloth was also placed in quarantine.

“The facility failed to provide sufficient distance and or barrier between the public and the sloth to protect the public from harm,” the report said. “During public exhibition, any animal must be handled so there is minimal risk of harm to the animal and to the public, with sufficient distance and/or barriers between the animal and the general viewing public so as to assure the safety of animals and the public.”

According to the Aloha Safari Park website, the zoo has a drive-thru that features zebras, wildebeests, Watusi cattle, elk and more. Plus a walk-thru exhibit where you can see animals like the capybara, otter, Fennec fox, and sloth.

WRAL has reached out to the Aloha Safari Park for comment.