BRIDGETON, N.J. — Police in Bridgeton, New Jersey, are searching for a woman who climbed over a barrier into a tiger enclosure at the Cohanzick Zoo, narrowly avoiding being bitten when she attempted to touch the animal through the fence.
The Bridgeton Police Department released video footage of the incident on Tuesday, although the exact date of the occurrence remains unclear. In the video, the woman is seen scaling a wooden fence designed to keep visitors at a safe distance from the tiger habitat.
“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,” the police department stated in a Facebook post accompanying the video.
After entering the restricted area, the woman approached the tall metal fence separating visitors from the tigers. She then inserted her hand through a small gap in the fence, apparently in an attempt to pet the large feline. The tiger quickly lunged toward her hand, causing her to rapidly withdraw it and step back from the enclosure.
Following the near-miss, the woman paused and posed, suggesting that another person may have been photographing her actions. She then climbed back over the wooden barrier to exit the restricted area.
Bridgeton police are urging the public to help identify the woman. “We are asking if anyone recognizes the female in the video/photo,” the department stated. They have directed those with information to contact Patrolman Cusano at 856-451-0033, extension 0, or to submit anonymous tips to BPD.TIPS.
The police department also used this incident to remind visitors about proper zoo etiquette and safety measures. “Reminder to the public when visiting the zoo that it is against City Ordinance to climb over any fence,” they emphasized in their statement.
This incident bears similarities to a 2019 event at the Bronx Zoo in New York, where a woman entered a lion enclosure and appeared to taunt the animal while standing just feet away.
Such incidents highlight ongoing concerns about visitor behavior at zoos and the potential dangers posed to both humans and animals when safety barriers are breached. Zoo officials and animal welfare advocates often stress the importance of respecting enclosure boundaries for the safety of visitors and the well-being of the animals.
The Cohanzick Zoo, located in Bridgeton City Park, is the first zoo in New Jersey. It houses a variety of animals, including big cats, and plays a role in conservation and education efforts. Incidents like this can potentially impact zoo operations and animal welfare protocols.
