The Bronx Zoo says the woman who trespassed inside its lion enclosure on Sept. 28 put herself in serious danger.
“This action was a serious violation and unlawful trespass that could have resulted in serious injury or death,” a zoo spokesperson said of the woman who climbed over a visitor safety barrier at the African lion exhibit.
The woman can be seen dancing and waving her hands as if taunting the lion to move in a video from a bystander at the exhibit.
In the video, the woman does not appear scared or concerned even as the lion takes a few steps closer to her, and bystanders—including young children—could be heard talking in the background.
“He was ready to eat that [human] ‘steak,'” Instagram user Real Sobrino said. “Look at the reaction of the lion to see that woman there.”
Although the woman continued to tease the lion, he did not attack and hesitated to come closer to her.
Sobrino suggested this could be because there was a small ravine, possibly electrically charged, separating the woman from the captive animal.
“I think they have to be power[ed] or something,” he said on Instagram. “If you see my picture she just stood on the rocks.”
Sobrino used the opportunity to take some photos and record some videos. He admitted he was also concerned for the woman’s safety.
“If the lion attacked her they have to sacrifice it,” he said on Instagram. “I was there for a few minutes, [it was] very difficult [to watch].”
NYPD Detective Sophia Mason told CNN nobody called 911 and no arrests were made, and they were just notified on Oct. 2. They had no further information to provide.
The Bronx Zoo filed a complaint for criminal trespass, according to the NYPD.
It is unclear how the woman got over the barrier or how long she was there. Neither the woman nor the lion were injured in the incident.
“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,” the zoo said.
The CNN Wire and Epoch Times reporter Richard Szabo contributed to this report.
