A morning jog turned into a real-life 'Little Red Riding Hood' for a 37-year-old woman after she was attacked by wolves at Thoiry zoo’s safari zone near Paris.

The unfortunate jogger, who had spent the night with her family in one of the zoo's immersive safari-style lodges, was bitten on the neck, calf, and back by Arctic wolves in an area intended for vehicle-only access. Rescued by park attendants after hearing her screams, the woman is now in stable condition. Zoo officials are baffled at how she accessed the restricted zone without any hindrances from the so-called 'electrical barriers,' and both police and an internal investigation are underway.

It's not exactly the morning routine one might aspire to, but in this case, the wolves certainly clocked in for a bit of unscheduled exercise. The woman had set off for a jog early Sunday morning, presumably to enjoy the serene, safari-like environment. However, the tranquility was short-lived as the 9.30 a.m. run turned into a race for survival.

Thoiry zoo, located to the west of Paris, is known for offering guests unique immersive experiences, including lodges where visitors can stay overnight. Unfortunately for the jogger, the rustic charm of these lodges came with an unexpected proximity to the wildlife. Arctic wolves, the inhabitants of this particular safari section, are strictly carnivorous—a fact the jogger likely discovered the hard way.

According to Christelle Bercheny, the zoo's CEO, the enclosures are equipped with electrical barriers designed to keep the animals safely within their designated areas. However, these barriers apparently didn’t prevent the jogger from wandering into the restricted zone. "The barriers are quite effective at keeping our animals in," mentioned Bercheny, "though they are less successful at deterring overly enthusiastic joggers."

Witnesses—or rather, the first responders—were, in fact, the park attendants, who sprang into action after hearing distressed screams echo throughout the safari zone. Their timely intervention likely prevented a more dire outcome. By the time they reached the scene, the woman had sustained serious injuries but, fortunately, her condition stabilized soon after medical attention was provided (and no, she wasn’t just visiting for a bite!).

The woman was bitten on the neck, calf, and back—clearly not the kind of attention anyone wants from a wolf. Initially, there was significant concern about her injuries. Fortunately, emergency medical services arrived promptly and whisked her away to a nearby hospital for extensive treatment. Think of it as a very expensive and very intense spa day. Thankfully, medical reports later confirmed that her injuries are no longer life-threatening.

While human proximity to wild animals always carries an inherent risk, the incident has raised several questions about safety protocols at the zoo. Both the police and zoo management have launched investigations to understand exactly how the woman ended up in the wolves' territory. One line of inquiry is focusing on whether there were any lapses in maintaining the safety barriers or any potential signage failures. It seems even the wolves were surprised by the unexpected jogger cameo in their morning routine.

The zoo's internal investigation is running in parallel with law enforcement's efforts to piece together the events leading to the attack. Park officials are reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing staff to gain clearer insights. 'Safety is our utmost priority,' Bercheny reassured, 'so we are leaving no stone unturned in our investigation. It’s like playing detective, but without the trench coats and magnifying glasses.'

Meanwhile, visitors at Thoiry zoo have shown mixed reactions. Some expressed shock and concern regarding the safety measures in place, while others were more forgiving, reasoning that wild animals exhibit unpredictable behavior. The lodges, designed to bring people closer to animals, now stand as a peculiar reminder that 'close' perhaps needs clearly defined boundaries.

Interestingly, though the Arctic wolves are the focal point in this narrative, they remained unaware of the brewing human drama outside their enclosure. The zoo has confirmed that the wolves involved in the incident are being carefully monitored. Investigations by both police and the zoo are currently underway to understand the circumstances of the attack. For the wolves, it was just another day within their electric confines.

While it's unlikely that this incident will become a new feature in the zoo's brochure, it has undoubtedly put a spotlight on the fine balance between immersive wildlife experiences and ensuring visitor safety. Until the investigations conclude and additional safety measures are possibly implemented, it’s safe to say that future joggers at Thoiry zoo will likely opt for the more traditional exercise equipment inside the lodges.