Tiger almost bites woman’s hand at New Jersey Zoo
New Jersey authorities released footage of a woman putting her hand through the fence of a tiger enclosure at the Cohanzick Zoo.
A woman was nearly bitten by a tiger at a New Jersey zoo when she climbed over the barrier of the tiger enclosure and stuck her hand through a metal fence, apparently trying to pet the wild animal.
Bridgeton police said Wednesday they were looking for a woman who “climbed over the wooden fence” of the tiger enclosure at the Cohanzick Zoo and “enticed the tiger to the inside fence, nearly injuring herself.” Police did not say when the incident occurred.
Police had also previously released video of the alleged incident in a post that has since been deleted. They did not say why the post or video was removed and did not respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment.
Watch: Video shows woman climbing into tiger enclosure
Video footage obtained by USA TODAY shows a woman standing between a wooden barrier and a high metal fence in the tiger enclosure at the Cohanzick Zoo then putting her hand through a small gap, apparently in an attempt to pet the animal.
The woman’s behavior angered the animal, which jumped towards the fence, whereupon the woman quickly withdrew her hand and jumped back. The woman then posed in front of the tiger before climbing back over the wooden fence.
Police ask public for help in identifying a woman
The woman has not been identified and Bridgeton police said she is currently being sought. Police did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for an update on the status of the investigation.
Authorities have asked anyone with information about the incident to contact Ptlm. Cusano at 856-451-0033, extension 0, or visit the BPD.TIPS website to submit tips anonymously.
“We remind the public that it is against city ordinance to climb over fences while visiting the zoo,” police said.
Located about 50 miles from Atlantic City, the Cohanzick Zoo was founded in 1934 and is New Jersey’s oldest zoo, according to the zoo’s website. Admission is free for visitors.
The Cohanzick Zoo is home to two Bengal tigers – Rishi and Mahesha – who were born in September 2016 at a zoo in North Carolina and were part of a litter of five tigers, the zoo’s website says. They arrived in Bridgeton in January 2017.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
