Woman who breached tiger enclosure at Cohanzick Zoo identified, charged

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The woman who breached the tiger enclosure at a Cumberland County zoo and put her hand through the wire fence has been identified and charged.

Bridgeton police say Zyair Dennis, 24, of Millville, is the woman seen on video sticking her hand inside the tiger cage at Cohanzick Zoo and taunting a 7-year-old Bengal Tiger.

While the incident happened on Aug. 18, authorities did not begin their investigation until two days later when they were notified by Bridgeton’s Department of Recreation, which had received photos and videos of Dennis from zoo attendees.

Police say they also received videos of Dennis doing the same thing to a bear in an adjacent enclosure.

Dennis is charged with trespassing and the violation of two other city ordinances related to conduct within the zoo.

No court date has been set.