NJ Woman charged after sticking hand into tiger enclosure at Cohanzick Zoo

Generic Tiger image - Blake Meyer, Wix user

CUMBERLAND, NJ - A video surfaced online that appeared to depict Cumberland county woman, Zyair J. Dennis, in a restricted area of the Cohanzick Zoo, Bridgeton Police say.

---

Modern zoos often use a variety of methods to both keep visitors and animals safe, and to ensure visibility. It is imperative that the Zoo employs methods that not only allow visitors to see the animals, but allow the animals to maintain their comfort and dignity. Some of those methods include moats, differences in elevation, or enclosed spaces if necessary.

One of the most common design features of a zoo is the double-fence, a simple system in which two fences parallel to one another ensure a reasonable amount of space between human visitors and animal residents. The space between the fences is not only there to keep people from sticking their fingers or hands into the enclosure, but to expedite enclosure maintenance, consider future expansion, and calm territorial animals that may get agitated at an intruder in their territory.

---

On August 18th, 2024, police said Zyair Dennis jumped over the visitor-facing fence and stuck her hands through the adjacent fence into the tiger enclosure before quickly pulling it back when the tiger appeared to "react aggressively".

Chief of Police Michael Gaimari Sr. said there was a "similar video depicting the same scenario at the bear enclosure" on the same day, also involving Dennis. Garmari also said that posting the video online yielded nearly instant responses through their BPD.TIPS tab, where citizens can submit anonymous information to officers.

NBC News spoke to an Animal Keeper at the Zoo who said the tiger in question was 7-year-old Mahesha, a bengal tiger who was donated from a North Carolina Zoo in September of 2016, according to the Daily Journal.

The Animal Keeper also said that Mahesha tends to be more aggressive than the other tigers her age, which is why the zoo has several signs in the area that read "Do not climb over the fence"; the signs cite City Ordinance 247-C and warn of 24-hour surveillance in the area.

Director of Recreation and Public Affairs for the City of Bridgeton, John Medica, said that if the woman had been bitten, it is very likely that the Mahesha would have to have been euthanized, referencing the 2016 incident at the Cincinnati Zoo wherein a child fell into the gorilla enclosure; leading to the gorilla, Harambe, being shot.

Zyair J. Dennis is scheduled to appear in the Bridgeton Municipal Court at a date yet to be determined.