Bridgeton Police Department
(BRIDGETON, NJ) — A 24-year-old woman has been accused of jumping a fence at a New Jersey zoo and “luring” a tiger, police said.
Zyair Dennis was charged with trespassing and received two city ordinances in connection with climbing fences at the zoo, Bridgeton police said in a statement Monday.
According to police, Dennis allegedly entered a restricted area of the Cohanzick Zoo on August 18.
Witnesses provided authorities with videos and photos showing a woman jumping over the fence, approaching the tiger enclosure and “reaching into the cage before quickly pulling her hand out when the animal reacts aggressively,” police said.
Police said she was almost injured while “luring” the tiger.
The woman was also allegedly seen in a video “showing the same scenario in the bear enclosure,” police said.
Last week, Bridgeton police released information and images from the incident in an attempt to identify the suspect. Police said Monday that the footage helped them identify Dennis.
No date has been set for Dennis’ appearance in Bridgeton Municipal Court, police said.
ABC News’ Julia Reinstein contributed to this report.
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