A woman was filmed apparently trying to provoke a lion after climbing into its enclosure at the Bronx Zoo this weekend.
The video was posted to Instagram with the caption ‘you will not believe what happened next’.
The zoo has condemned the video, confirming staff were alerted that someone climbed over a safety barrier at its African lion enclosure on Saturday.
A spokesperson said: ‘This action was a serious violation and unlawful trespass that could have resulted in serious injury or death.
‘Barriers and rules are in place to keep both visitors, staff and animals safe.
‘We have a zero tolerance policy on trespass and violation of barriers.’
In the footage, the woman stands just feet away from the bemused male lion who stares as she waves her hands in front of him, appearing to taunt the predator.
In a separate clip, she wiggles her hips as if dancing in front of the lion.
Hernán Reynoso, the man who captured the video, told News 4 he had been at the zoo with his wife and son.
He said he was recording on his phone and his wife told him: ‘Look at that.’
Hernán said he first thought it was just part of the exhibit, adding: ‘But when I see she just was there, dancing, saying “Hi” to the lion and everything, that was crazy.’
He also said the lion started to get agitated at one point and roared, which is when he grabbed his family and left.
The zoo has a moat-like barrier that drops between where the woman was seen and where the lion was stood, which may have helped prevent tragedy.
No injuries have been reported and it is not known if any action has been taken against the woman.
