A zoo employee has died following an interaction with a kangaroo at a family-operated petting zoo in South Carolina. Eric Slate, 52, was discovered deceased inside an enclosure at the 5-Star Farm near Loris, South Carolina, about 30 miles north of Myrtle Beach.
Slate, the brother of the petting zoo’s owner, Robert Slate, had reportedly entered the kangaroo’s pen on Friday evening, May 9, 2025. According to local officials, he was found with “multiple blunt force injuries” just before midnight.
Horry County Councilmember Mark Causey informed local media that Slate had a history of entering the enclosure and “roughhousing” with the kangaroo, Mr. Jack, which he was doing at the time. “It just went south,” Causey explained.
On Facebook, Robert Slate posted a statement urging the public to respect the family’s privacy concerning the incident. He mentioned that the Horry County Coroner had ordered an autopsy to ascertain the cause of death, as the victim was found in an animal enclosure. Slate clarified that the animal involved was secure and remained within its enclosure.
The 5-Star Farm had 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 robust animals weighing up to 200 pounds and standing nearly 6 feet tall. They have extremely 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. Experts are scheduled to visit the farm this week to ensure the enclosure is safe and check the animal’s condition.
The Horry County Police Department confirmed in a statement 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 provides 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 offers 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.
