A zoo employee died following an encounter with a kangaroo at a family-operated petting zoo in South Carolina. Eric Slate, 52, was discovered deceased inside a pen at the 5-Star Farm near Loris, South Carolina, about 30 miles from Myrtle Beach.

Slate, a sibling of the petting zoo’s proprietor, Robert Slate, reportedly entered the kangaroo’s pen on Friday evening, May 9, 2025. According to local officials, he was found with “multiple blunt force injuries” shortly before midnight.

Horry County Councilmember Mark Causey informed local media that Slate had a history of entering the pen and “roughhousing” with the kangaroo, known as Mr. Jack, which he was apparently doing when the incident occurred. “It just went south,” Causey explained.

In a Facebook post, Robert Slate requested respect for the family’s privacy regarding the incident. He mentioned that the Horry County Coroner had ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death, as the victim was found in an animal enclosure. Slate clarified that the animal involved was secure and had not left its pen.

The 5-Star Farm recently shared a photo of a large red kangaroo named Mr. Jack, describing him as an animal that “loves neck scratches and will take treats from your hands.”

Adult male red kangaroos are strong animals weighing up to 200 pounds and standing nearly 6 feet tall. They have very strong hind legs and powerful feet capable of delivering forceful kicks. Red kangaroos can jump up to 30 feet in a single leap and reach heights of up to six feet when jumping.

Councilmember Causey noted that the kangaroo involved in the incident has not been euthanized. “It’s not an aggressive animal. It’s very sad… It was not the animal’s fault,” he said. The councilmember added that experts were scheduled to visit the farm this week to ensure the enclosure is safe and check on the animal’s condition.

The Horry County Police Department stated that all animals at the location were accounted for and contained, with “no risk to the community.” Police also stated that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The 5-Star Farm offers an interactive petting zoo experience featuring various exotic animals, including camels, wallabies, and kangaroos. According to its website, the facility has been operating for more than 15 years and provides educational programs for families and children.

South Carolina has some of the least restrictive laws in the United States regarding exotic animal ownership. Along with Wisconsin and West Virginia, it is one of only three states where residents can own kangaroos without requiring a special permit. While the state prohibits the private ownership of certain exotic animals like large wild cats and non-native bears, it has no restrictions on kangaroo ownership.

Fatal kangaroo attacks are extremely rare. In 2022, an elderly man was killed by his pet kangaroo in Western Australia. Before that incident, there had reportedly not been a fatal kangaroo attack in Australia for nearly 90 years.

The 5-Star Farm describes itself as being “dedicated to providing a safe and enriching environment for animals and visitors alike.” The facility continues to operate, though it’s unknown if any changes will be made to the kangaroo exhibit following the incident.

Tamara Willard, the Horry County Chief Deputy Coroner, has stated that the exact cause of death will be determined after an autopsy is completed, which could take up to four weeks.