Video shows woman almost bitten by tiger at New Jersey zoo

A woman at the Cohanzick Zoo in Bridgeton, New Jersey, recently caused an uproar after she climbed over a barrier at the tiger enclosure and nearly lost her hand to one of the zoo's Bengal tigers. The incident, which was captured on video, has sparked a police investigation and widespread condemnation from the public.

The woman, who has yet to be identified, was caught on camera scaling a wooden fence surrounding the enclosure. Once over the fence, she approached the metal barrier designed to keep the animals at a safe distance from visitors. Ignoring numerous warning signs, she extended her hand through the fence in what appeared to be an attempt to pet the tiger. The big cat initially sniffed her hand before suddenly lunging at her, forcing the woman to recoil in fear and quickly retreat from the scene. Thankfully, she managed to avoid serious injury, but the footage shows just how close she came to a catastrophic encounter.

The video, shared by the Bridgeton Police Department on social media, was later removed without explanation. However, the department confirmed that they are actively seeking the woman involved in the incident. Authorities have urged anyone with information about her identity to come forward, stressing that her actions violated local ordinances and endangered both herself and the animals.

Cohanzick Zoo, the oldest in New Jersey, is home to two Bengal tigers, Rishi and Mahesha, who were born in 2016 and have been at the zoo since 2017. Zoo officials and city representatives have expressed their dismay over the incident, reiterating that such reckless behavior not only poses a significant risk to human safety but also to the well-being of the animals. John Medica, Director of Recreation and Public Affairs for the City of Bridgeton, stated that any behavior putting the public, staff, or animals in danger would be dealt with seriously.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about visitor behavior at zoos and the challenges in enforcing safety protocols. While most zoo-goers respect the barriers and rules designed to protect them, incidents like this one serve as a stark reminder of the potential dangers when those rules are ignored. The zoo remains a popular attraction, offering free admission to the public, but officials may now consi

der revisiting their security measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

For now, the woman’s identity remains unknown, and the authorities continue to seek leads from the public. As this story unfolds, it underscores the critical importance of adhering to safety guidelines in environments where wild animals are kept, for the protection of both visitors and the creatures that call these facilities home.