In a startling incident at the Cohanzick Zoo in New Jersey, a woman risked her life by climbing the fence into the Bengal tiger Cage on Sunday around 2 p.m. According to the Bridgeton Police Department, the woman attempted to touch the tiger, narrowly avoiding being bitten. She was dressed in a dark top and white shorts and was seen trying to entice the tiger by sticking her fingers through the inner fencing as the massive predator paced just inches away.
LOOK: Bridgeton Police want to identify this woman, who climbed over the tiger enclosure’s wooden fence at the Cohanzick Zoo “and began enticing the tiger, almost getting bit by putting her hand through the wire enclosure.” 1/4 pic.twitter.com/DPRFi5xFg1
— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) August 21, 2024
A video that quickly went viral on social media captured the woman’s dangerous stunt. As she put her hand through the enclosure, the 500-pound Bengal tiger lunged towards her, trying to bite her hand. She managed to pull back just in time before the tiger turned away. The police department initially shared the video on Facebook, but it has since been removed. Their post included a photo of a warning sign near the enclosure, stating, “Do not climb over the fence. Climbing over any zoo fence is against city ordinance 247-C.”
The Bridgeton Police Department reminded the public that climbing over zoo fences is strictly prohibited, citing the city ordinance. Violators of this ordinance could face bans or restrictions from visiting the zoo. John Medica, Director of Recreation and Public Affairs for the City of Bridgeton, emphasized that the safety of both the animals and visitors is a top priority. He stated, “Any visitor behavior that places the animals, staff, and members of the public in a potentially dangerous situation is unacceptable and will be addressed accordingly.”
The Cohanzick Zoo is home to two Bengal tigers, Rishi and Mahesha, who have been at the zoo since they were cubs in 2016. Described as “Gorgeous and ornery” by the former president of the Cohanzick Zoological Society, Bonnie Facemyer, the tigers have grown from 20-pound cubs to nearly 500 pounds each.
Bengal tigers, also known as Indian tigers, are an endangered species. As of October 2022, it is estimated that only around 3,500 Bengal tigers remain in the wild, making their conservation a global priority. Bengal tigers are the second-largest tiger species, surpassed only by the Siberian tiger.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of respecting wildlife and adhering to safety guidelines when visiting zoos. The reckless actions of a few can endanger both the animals and other visitors, emphasizing the need for strict enforcement of safety regulations.
