Tiger Attack Avoided: US Woman Climbs Fence and Comes Inches from Being Bitten

In a startling incident at the Cohanzick Zoo in New Jersey, a woman from the United States was caught on camera climbing over the fence into the Bengal tiger enclosure on Sunday around 2 p.m. The Bridgeton Police Department reported that the woman, dressed in a dark top and white shorts, attempted to touch one of the tigers and narrowly avoided being bitten. The tiger, weighing approximately 500 pounds, came dangerously close to attacking her as she reached through the enclosure’s fencing.

A video of the encounter quickly went viral on social media, showing the woman dangerously close to the tiger, who swatted and tried to bite her hand. The police department initially shared the video on their Facebook page but removed it later. The post included a photo of a warning sign at the zoo that clearly stated, “Do not climb over the fence. Climbing over any zoo fence is against city ordinance 247-C.”

LOOK: Bridgeton Police want to identify this woman, who climbed over the tiger enclosure’s wooden fence at the Cohanzick Zoo “and began enticing the tiger, almost getting bit by putting her hand through the wire enclosure.” 1/4 pic.twitter.com/DPRFi5xFg1

— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) August 21, 2024

John Medica, Director of Recreation and Public Affairs for Bridgeton, emphasized that ensuring the safety of both the animals and the visitors is a top priority. He stated that any actions endangering these interests would be dealt with seriously. The zoo’s website notes that it houses two Bengal tigers, Rishi and Mahesha, who were brought in as cubs in 2016 and now weigh nearly 500 pounds each.

Bengal tigers, also known as Indian tigers, are an endangered species with only around 3,500 remaining in the wild as of October 2022. The zoo’s website describes the tigers as having grown from their initial 20-pound size into formidable animals.

The incident has prompted significant public reaction, with many expressing shock and concern on social media. Some users criticized the zoo for not having more stringent safety measures, while others were stunned by the woman’s reckless behavior. The Bridgeton Police Department is seeking assistance from the public to identify the individual involved in this dangerous stunt.