Millville woman charged after allegedly filmed climbing into enclosure at Cohanzick Zoo in Bridgeton, New Jersey

BRIDGETON, NJ — A New Jersey woman has been charged with trespassing after being accused of illegally climbing into a zoo enclosure last week.

Zyair J. Dennis, 24, of Millville, is charged with trespassing and violating two city ordinances that prohibit climbing fences at the zoo – which is clearly marked on signs outside the enclosure.

According to police, she jumped over a fence on August 18 and entered a restricted area next to the tiger and bear enclosures at the Cohanzick Zoo in Bridgeton.

After Dennis climbed over the wooden fence holding two 500-pound Bengal tigers, she began to “lure” one of the tigers by putting her hand through the chain-link fence, according to police.

Last week, Bridgeton Police released a video of a woman who they believe is Dennis, almost being bitten by one of the big cats.

“This pacing is like running around. You can also see his tail wagging, and that is an agitated behavior,” said zookeeper Avery Menear, describing 7-year-old Mahesha’s behavior. “As soon as she turned around, you can see on the video his paw goes up, and when she reached for him, those are all predatory behaviors that he was exhibiting.”

Police said they had also been shown a similar video showing the same scene on the same day in the bear enclosure with the same person.

Regular visitors to Bridgeton Zoo, a hidden gem, were visibly disturbed when they saw the video.

“I don’t know what people are thinking,” said Sharon Simpkins of Salem County, New Jersey. “They’re here for our exhibit and people shouldn’t try to do something like that, it’s crazy.”

“It’s unbelievable to me how someone could make such a selfish decision,” said Sherri Riddle of Bridgeton, New Jersey.

According to the police, this was not only inappropriate but also dangerous.

Bridgeton Police Chief Michael Gaimari Sr. said videos and photos posted by police on the police department’s BPD.TIPS tab generated immediate responses that led directly to the identification of Dennis.

Dennis is scheduled to appear in Bridgeton Municipal Court at a date to be determined.