Woman Climbs Into Lion Enclosure at Bronx Zoo, Taunts Lion
I'm sorry, WHAT?! A woman climbed into the lion exhibit at the Bronx Zoo earlier this week and taunted the lion she stood face-to-face with.
Another zoo-goer on the safe side of the barrier filmed the encounter, and in the video, the woman waves at the lion and even dances as it stares at her.
According to CBS New York, the woman may even face criminal trespassing charges. She has not been identified, but zoo officials reminded patrons of the importance of respecting safety barriers in a statement.
“Bronx Zoo staff received a report that an individual had climbed over a visitor safety barrier,” zoo officials said, according to Syracuse.com. “This action was a serious violation and unlawful trespass that could have resulted in serious injury or death. Barriers and rules are in place to keep both visitors, staff and animals safe. We have a zero tolerance policy on trespass and violation of barriers.”
Somehow the woman escaped the enclosure unscathed, but she obviously didn't hear about Utica Zoo's late peacock, Merlin, who died in June after flying over the lion enclosure. I cannot beg you enough: Please do not be this lady when you go to the zoo.