The woman who was filmed reaching into a tiger’s enclosure at a New Jersey zoo has been accused of taunting the dangerous predator.
Zyair Dennis, 24, of Millville, was charged with defiant trespassing for the Aug. 18 incident at the Cohanzick Zoo in Bridgeton, and received two citations covering general conduct involving people climbing fences at the zoo. According to NJ.com. He faces a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.
Bridgeton police released video and photos of a suspect attempting to lure a Bengal tiger by sticking her hand through a wire enclosure and quickly identified her as the intruder, Police Chief Michael Gaimari said. according to NBC New York.
The video shows the big cat moving closer for a closer look before pouncing and swiping at the woman with its paw as she rips off its hand.
After the incident, the woman can be seen calmly walking away and jumping over the fence to safety.
Zyair Dennis, 24, of Millville, has been identified as the woman caught on camera reaching into a tiger’s enclosure at a New Jersey zoo.
Gaimari has now revealed that there was a similar video of her doing the same thing in a nearby bear enclosure on the same day, despite signs posted around the zoo warning people that climbing fences is prohibited.
Dennis was released pending a hearing in municipal court, NJ.com reports.
It is unclear whether he has hired an attorney who can speak on his behalf.
But zoo officials said they are also investigating the incident.
“Cohanzick Zoo is evaluating measures related to the safety of our animals and guests,” administrators said Monday.
The nearly 650-pound feline was born in 2016 and donated to the Cohanzick Zoo from North Carolina.
‘These measures include a review involving the USDA, NJ Fish Wildlife, and communication with larger zoos to evaluate and/or incorporate industry best practices.
“Despite current safety measures, we are always examining ways to improve animal safety as well as the safety of our visitors and guests,” they said.
The nearly 650-pound tiger that nearly bit Dennis was born in 2016 and donated to the Cohanzick Zoo in North Carolina. Zoo officials have said.
He is one of two brothers who currently live on the premises.
According to the zoo, the Bengal tiger is considered the second largest tiger after the Siberian tiger.