If there’s one place you should absolutely not channel your inner Tarzan, it’s a tiger’s den. Yet, in a move that could only be described as a plot twist no one asked for, 24-year-old Zyair Dennis found herself in a face-off with a Bengal tiger that nearly earned her a Darwin Award.
Dangerously Close and Personal
At the Cohanzick Zoo in New Jersey, an unlikely protagonist decided to breach the peace and quiet of our striped felines by hopping into their territory. Captured on video by an astounded zoo-goer, Dennis came inches from feeding her hand to a tiger—literally.
Mia Williams
The video shows our daring guest strolling right up to the tiger, who probably couldn’t believe its luck. The big cat, visibly curious, gave her a polite sniff before attempting to take a nibble. Unfazed by what could have been the end of her story, Dennis wiggled her fingers one last time and casually exited stage left, leaving behind a bewildered beast and a horrified audience.
From the Tiger’s Den to the Bear’s Lair
As if dancing with a tiger wasn’t enough, the footage also revealed Dennis reenacting her Houdini act with a bear. Yes, a bear. Clearly, our thrill-seeker had an agenda to tick off every high-risk enclosure in the zoo.
Police promptly charged Dennis with defiant trespassing and violating municipal codes, reminding everyone else why they have ‘Do Not Enter’ fences in place. John Medica, the city’s Director of Recreation and Public Affairs, reiterated that guest safety remains a top priority alongside the well-being of their furry residents.
A Message Loud and Clear
Speaking with People, Medica couldn’t emphasize enough how behaviors that endanger both animals and humans are unacceptable. Wishing it were just a bizarre dream, Avery Menear, an animal keeper at the zoo, expressed his concern over the stress these antics place on both staff and animals. He lamented that any incident reflects poorly on the zoo, no matter how daring (or foolish) the stunt.
Will the zoo ramp up safety measures after this escapade? Menear chose not to make hasty decisions, but assured they were already in the process of evaluating their visitor policies. Though one can imagine the thought of installing higher fences must’ve crossed someone’s mind.
Court Date Pending
The story of Zyair Dennis and her brush with tiger teeth is far from over. She is slated to appear in Bridgeton Municipal Court, though the date remains pending. No word yet from the tiger, but one can speculate it might involve a sigh of relief for narrowly avoiding what could have been a hearty meal.
So next time you feel the need to channel your favorite wildlife hero, remember—zoom lenses exist for a reason. Respect the fences and leave the close encounters to Nat Geo photographers.
