A woman has been charged by police after alarming footage showed her jumping over a fence and taunting a tiger.
The shocking incident occurred at the Cohanzick Zoo in Bridgeton, New Jersey, on August 18, as reported by NBC New York.
Zyair Dennis, 24, was caught on camera hopping over a fence and approaching a seven-year-old Bengal tiger named Mahesha, per The Independent.
In the clip, Dennis leans over and sticks her hand through the caged wire enclosure before quickly jerking back after the ferocious animal suddenly lunged at her and tried to bite her hand.
Watch the shocking moment below:After a close call, the Millville resident jumped back over the wooden fencing, which looked to be about 4 feet high, and left the area.
“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,” cops said in a statement, per The New York Post. “Reminder to the public when visiting the zoo, that it is against City Ordinance to climb over any fence."
Once the department posted the video, they received tips that led to them identifying Dennis as the suspect and announced that she is now facing one count of defiant trespassing.
Authorities also revealed that Dennis was issued summonses for violating two city ordinances “covering general conduct of persons pertaining to climbing fences within the zoo,” Chief of Police Michael Gaimari Sr. said in a statement, as cited by The Independent.
According to Gaimari, this is not the first time the woman has violated the rules as there was a similar video of her doing the same dangerous stunt at a nearby bear enclosure on the same day.
The woman has been charged after a video showed her jumping over a fence and taunting a tiger. Credit: Colin Langford / Getty
Zoo officials have announced they are still investigating the incident. "The Cohanzick Zoo is evaluating measures related to the safety of our animals and visitors," administrators said, per Daily Mail.
"These measures include a review involving USDA, NJ Fish Wildlife and communicating with larger zoos to evaluate and/or incorporate industry best practices," they continued.
"Current safeguards notwithstanding we are always examining ways to enhance animal safety as well as the safety of our visitors and guests," they added.
John Medica, director of Recreation and Public Affairs for the City of Bridgeton, also shared further comments about the incident, saying: "I was horrified honestly," according to CBS News.
"It was just very careless, a very careless action and I hope the individual recognizes how lucky they were to still have all of their limbs," he added.
Dennis will be scheduled to appear in Bridgeton Municipal Court at a date to be determined. It is unclear whether she has retained an attorney who could speak on her behalf.