By The Diary
22 Aug 2024, 09:25 AM EDT
A visitor to the Cohanzick Zoo in Bridgeton, New Jersey, jumped over a fence holding two large Bengal tigers and then miraculously escaped unharmed.
The dangerous incident happened on Sunday and was captured on video. Police have released the footage, which shows the woman being nearly bitten by a big cat, and are asking for the public’s help in locating the intrepid visitor who trespassed into the tiger enclosure.
Police stressed that not only was this inappropriate and dangerous, but it is also illegal to jump over the zoo’s fences: the woman violated a city ordinance, something that is clearly marked on signs outside the grounds.
Authorities say the woman began “luring” the feline by sticking her hand through the wire enclosure. She then jumped over the wooden fence and entered the yard containing two 500-pound Bengal tigers.
“That back and forth behavior that she did is like walking back and forth. You can also see her tail moving and that is agitated behavior,” said animal keeper Avery Menear, describing the behavior of 7-year-old tiger Mahesha.
“As soon as she turned around in the video you can see her paw lift up, and after she got close to him, those are all predatory behaviors she was displaying,” Menear added, as quoted by ABC News.
Other frequent visitors to the Bridgeton Zoo were visibly upset by the video. “It just blows my mind how someone could make such a selfish decision,” said Sherri Riddle, a local resident.
Anyone with information about the woman seen in the video is asked to call Bridgeton police at 856-451-0033. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online here.