According to an announcement from the New Jersey State Police, a 24-year-old woman has been prosecuted for violating zoo regulations by jumping over the zoo’s fence to “tease” a tiger.
On Monday (August 26th), Bridgeton city police stated in a release that Zyair Dennis was charged with one count of illegal entry and had violated two municipal ordinances related to climbing the zoo’s fence.
Police said Dennis unlawfully entered a restricted area while visiting Cohanzick Zoo on August 18th.
Based on videos and photos provided by witnesses to the police, an African American woman jumped over the zoo’s first fence, approached the tiger’s mesh fence, reached her hand inside in an attempt to play with the tiger. Fortunately, when the tiger reacted intensely, she quickly pulled back her hand and then climbed over the fence to safety.
Authorities stated that her actions of teasing the tiger nearly resulted in her own injury.
Police mentioned that there was also a video showing the same woman climbing over a fence to tease a bear.
Last week, Bridgeton city police released information and images of the incident in an effort to identify the suspect. Police confirmed Dennis’s identity on Monday with the help of videos provided by the public.
Local media outlet “New Jersey NEWS 12” reported that there was a notice outside the zoo’s fence stating “Climbing or crossing the fence is a violation of City Order No. 247.” The woman’s act of crossing the fence was clearly illegal.
Police stated that Dennis’s court appearance date at Bridgeton City Court has not been determined yet.
Authorities also specifically reminded visitors that climbing the zoo fence is prohibited.
According to the zoo’s introduction, the tiger in question is a Bengal tiger, weighing 650 pounds. Bengal tigers are the second largest tiger species after Siberian tigers.