Woman charged after climbing over zoo fence to pet tiger in viral video



Tuesday, August 27, 2024 - Authorities have identified and charged a woman who was caught on video climbing into a tiger enclosure at the Cohanzick Zoo in Bridgeton, New Jersey, in a now-viral incident that sparked widespread outrage online.

The woman, 24-year-old Zyair Dennis, is accused of not only entering the tiger's enclosure but also trespassing into a bear paddock within the zoo.

The footage, which made the rounds on social media last week, shows Dennis dangerously close to the tiger, narrowly avoiding a potentially deadly encounter. Bridgeton Police swiftly launched an investigation to identify the individual responsible, as her actions violated a city ordinance prohibiting climbing over or on any zoo fence—an act that also defied common sense.

In their investigation, the police discovered that this was not Dennis's first offense. In addition to her close encounter with the tiger, Dennis had previously made her way into a bear enclosure at the same zoo. As a result, she has been charged with trespassing and received two citations for general misconduct.

The incident has drawn significant attention, with many emphasizing the potential dangers of such reckless behavior. Despite the animals being in captivity, they remain formidable predators capable of causing serious harm. Dennis's actions could have led to far more serious consequences, not only for herself but also for the animals involved.

This isn't the first time zoo safety has been highlighted in recent months. Earlier this year, a zookeeper at the Fort Worth Zoo went viral after a 34-year-old silverback gorilla named Elmo charged at her during a routine feeding session, underscoring the inherent risks of working with wild animals.

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