Man Critical After Jumping into Bronx Zoo Tiger Den
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iStockphoto/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — A man is in critical condition after apparently jumping off an electric monorail ride and over an electric fence into the tiger den at the Bronx Zoo Friday afternoon.
The man, who the zoo said is about 25 years old had injuries consistent with a tiger attack, including puncture wounds to his back, a broken arm and a broken ankle, the New York Police Department told ABC News.
The zoo released a statement Friday saying the man jumped off the Wild Asia Monorail ride he was on, cleared the tiger exhibit’s perimeter fence, and ended up in the tiger habitat.
“Our emergency response staff immediately went to the site and used a CO2 fire extinguisher to move the tiger away from the person,” the statement read. “Once the tiger backed off, the man was instructed to roll under a hot wire to safety. The keepers were able to call the tiger into its off-exhibit holding area and safely secured the animal.”
The man was conscious and able to talk, the statement said, but was taken to the hospital by ambulance, where he is in critical condition.
A police official told ABC News the man leaped over two fences, including an electrified fence, in a single jump in order to get into the tiger habitat.
Asked if the man was emotionally disturbed, a police official said, “It certainly appears that way.”
“The tiger was minding his own business,” police Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne said, “up until the man cleared two sets of fences to get into the enclosure.”
The incident occurred shortly before 3:30 p.m. Friday, the New York City Fire Department said.
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