A man has died after reportedly fighting a kangaroo at his brother’s petting zoo in South Carolina. According to The Guardian, Eric Slate, 52, passed away on Friday after suffering fatal injuries believed to be caused by a physical altercation with a kangaroo named Jack at 5-Star Farm in Horry County. The animal was part of an enclosure that also housed wallabies and other wildlife.
Eric’s brother, Robert Slate, owns the petting zoo and confirmed that Eric had a habit of entering the animals’ pen and “play-fighting” with Jack. However, this time the interaction ended fatally. The Horry County Police Department posted on Facebook that Slate died from blunt force trauma, and the county coroner later confirmed the cause of death. The investigation remains open as authorities gather more information.
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Kangaroo Named Jack Reportedly Involved in Fatal Fight With Man at Petting Zoo
According to statements from the family and police, this wasn’t the first time Eric Slate had interacted with Jack, the kangaroo. His brother Robert explained that Eric “liked to go in and mess around with him,” treating it like a game.
Horry County Police emphasized that all animals at the facility were accounted for and securely contained following the incident. The petting zoo also released a public statement, ensuring the community that the animal in question, Jack, has never left his enclosure and that they remain committed to safety. In a tribute posted to social media, Robert wrote, “Your memory will live on, your voice will be heard, and Jack (your buddy, the kangaroo) will be fine.”
Safety Concerns Around Exotic Animals at Family-Owned Petting Zoos
The tragic story has reignited debate about the safety of exotic animals in petting zoos—especially those that are family-run and may not follow strict zoo protocols. Kangaroos are native to Australia and are known to be territorial. When threatened, they may kick with immense force, causing serious injury or even death. According to animal experts, human-kangaroo interactions should be carefully monitored, especially when the animals aren’t trained for physical contact.
5-Star Farm’s website and social media claim the facility is dedicated to providing a safe environment for both animals and guests, but Eric’s death raises questions about internal safety standards and whether animal enclosures should be more closely regulated—even on private property.
The petting zoo also offers camel rides, gem mining, birthday parties, and pony rides.
