New Jersey Woman Charged for Attempting to Touch Tiger at Zoo

A New Jersey woman has been charged after being caught on video trying to touch a tiger at the Cohanzick Zoo in Bridgeton, New Jersey. Police identified the woman as Zyair Dennis, 24, from Millville. She faces a charge of defiant trespassing following the incident that took place on August 20, 2024.

According to authorities, Dennis jumped over a fence and approached the enclosure of a 7-year-old tiger named Mahesha. Video evidence shows her reaching into the cage, but quickly withdrawing her hand when the tiger reacted. Police also revealed that Dennis was seen in another video entering the bear enclosure on the same day.

After receiving tips from the public, police were able to identify Dennis from the footage. Besides the trespassing charge, she has also been cited for violating two city ordinances related to climbing fences within the zoo. Dennis is expected to appear in Bridgeton Municipal Court, though the date has not yet been set.

Please sign this petition to urge Connecticut, Maine, and Vermont to Ban the Use of Exotic Animals in Circuses!

Related Content:

• Video Captures the Epic Moment Rescued Gaza Zoo Tiger Finally Steps Onto Grass in New Sanctuary Home
• Pakistan’s Zoo-Turned-Rescue is Saving a Baby Tiger
• What is a Selfie Worth? Undercover Investigation Reveals Tiger Abuse in Thai Zoos
• Tiger Cub Rescue Sparks Investigation into Wildlife Sanctuary
• PETA Demands Action Against Kirshner Wildlife Foundation After Malnourished Tiger Cub Case

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Adopt-a-Pet: Visit WildWatchers, a watchdog platform specifically designed for animal, earth, and wildlife warriors to actively give back, rescue, and protect animals and the planet.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!