Extraordinary moment zoo visitor risks life by climbing fence to dance in front of lion

This is the bizarre moment a careless woman risked her life by climbing over a zoo security fence to dance in front of a lion.

The unidentified visitor managed to get into the African lion exhibit at the Bronx Zoo, New York, and paraded in front of one of the majestic big cats.

Standing motionless, the lion watched as the woman danced and greeted him as bystanders watched on.

Only a moat with a 14ft drop separated the woman from the lion.

Hernán Reynoso, who filmed the video above, initially thought the woman was simply part of the exhibit.

He told WNBC TV: “But when I see… she just was there, dancing, saying ‘hi’ to the lion and everything and that was crazy.”

Mr Reynoso said the lion soon got agitated by the woman and roared at her, prompting him to leave the scene with his family.

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Bronx Zoo officials said there were no injuries as a result of the woman’s actions, adding that it had a “zero-tolerance policy” for stunts such as this.

The zoo 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.”

Bronx Zoo is filing a criminal trespass report against the woman.