Francesca Capozzi Touching a Bengal tiger: this is what a woman did in an American zoo by crossing a fence regardless of the risk and violation committed. A video shows the subject approaching the predator, visibly agitated
©Shutterstock/etapok
A potentially tragic incident occurred at a New Jersey zoo when a woman was almost bitten by a Bengal tiger due to her reckless behavior. The entire event was captured by surveillance cameras.
The incident
Over the weekend, around 2:00 PM, the woman crossed the first fence that marks the boundary of the tiger’s enclosure at Cohanzick Zoo. She approached the metal barrier and attempted to touch the tiger, pulling her hand back just in time.
The video, initially shared by the Bridgeton Police Department before being taken down, shows the tiger in an agitated state as the woman gets within inches of the animal. She then quickly retreated and left the tiger area. According to American media reports, police have launched an investigation to identify the woman, seeking assistance from the public and zoo visitors who were present that day.
And the Idiot Of The Day award goes to….Woman nearly bitten by Tiger after climbing over fence at New Jersey zoo.“A female at the Cohanzick Zoo went over the wooden fence at the tiger enclosure and began enticing the Tiger almost getting bit,” police said.
Posted by Protect All WildLife on Thursday, August 22, 2024
Legal and safety concerns
Climbing over zoo barriers is illegal as it poses serious risks to both the public and the wild animals. In this specific case, the woman was dangerously close to a tiger—a top predator in the wild, known to experience frustration and stress due to the conditions of captivity.
Cohanzick Zoo is home to two Bengal tigers, a subspecies that is endangered. The tiger involved in the video is named Mehesha, who arrived at the zoo as a cub.
Not an isolated incident
Unfortunately, incidents like this are not uncommon in zoos worldwide. Reports of accidents, sometimes fatal, caused by the recklessness of visitors are all too frequent. In February of this year, a man was mauled by a lion after entering its enclosure at an Indian zoo.
The severity of these situations cannot be overstated. Such behavior not only endangers human lives but also jeopardizes the lives of the animals involved. Often, animals in zoos are euthanized following such incidents, despite being blameless.
