This visitor is now wanted by authorities after she managed to enter the tiger enclosure, seemingly intending to get up close with the big cat. In doing so, she nearly had a terrifying accident.
The tiger sniffed her hand for a moment, then suddenly lunged, apparently eager to take a bite of the snack she seemed to be offering.
She then climbed back over the wooden fence, which is about four feet high.
The sign reads: “Do not climb over the fence. Climbing over any zoo fence is against city ordinance 247-C.”
Following the incident, the police department issued a reminder:
Later, police added in a statement: “A female at the Cohanzick Zoo went over the wooden fence at the tiger enclosure and began enticing the tiger, almost getting bit by putting her hand through the wire enclosure.”
Local media outlet News 12 New Jersey reported that such behavior could lead to a ban or restriction from the zoo.
“Any visitor behaviour that places the animals, staff and members of the public in a potentially dangerous situation is unacceptable and will be addressed accordingly.”
Bridgeton is located about 50 miles south of Philadelphia, and Cohanzick Zoo, which opened in 1934, proudly claims to be the first zoo in New Jersey.
According to the zoo’s website, the tiger involved in the incident is one of two Bengal tigers born in 2016 and donated by another zoo in North Carolina in 2017.
