A WOMAN has sparked anger online after she was filming taunting a lion after climbing inside an animal enclosure at the Bronx Zoo in New York.
The incident was captured on camera by onlooker Hernán Reynoso, who was visiting the zoo with his wife and son at the time.
Three videos of the woman, waving her arms at the woman and taunting the animal were uploaded to Instagram.
Speaking to News 4, Reynoso said he initially thought the woman was part of the exhibit.
He said: “But when I see … she just was there, dancing, saying “hi” to the lion and everything and that was crazy.”
The woman was separated from the lion by a small moat which may have stopped the animal from getting too close to her or attacking.
The Bronx Zoo has yet to confirm whether any action will be taken against the woman, who has yet to be identified.
“This action was a serious violation and unlawful trespass that could have resulted in serious injury or death,” a spokesperson said.
“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.”
See More: Animal Abuse, New York, Zoo
