Illustration of an elephant, here in San Diego, USA.
-
San Diego Union-Tribune / TNS / Sipa
A 25-year-old father was arrested for endangering a minor after entering a closed to the public area of the San Diego Zoo (United States).
Accompanied by his 2-year-old daughter, the man entered the elephant enclosure this Friday, reports NBC San Diego.
The intrusion of the two humans made one of the pachyderms react, which was threatening.
San Diego Police Sergeant Ariel Savage said the animal intended to charge intruders.
Matthew Passiglia, who attended the scene, for his part said that it only took about thirty seconds for the elephant to locate the father and his daughter.
The mammal "became very agitated and hysterical" before uttering "a huge roar" and "raise its head and its tusks", testified the visitor to the zoo.
Take a picture with the elephant
The latter explained that the elephant had run in the direction of the two humans, who fled.
The young man then lost his balance and let go of his daughter, whose animal approached about 1.5 meters.
“Fortunately the elephant hesitated,” said Matthew Passiglia.
This moment allowed the father to grab his child and take cover just before the pachyderm reached the confines of the enclosure.
Neither the intruders nor the elephants were injured.
The local police put forward the fact that the client of the zoo had ignored "several barriers" and had entered the enclosure "knowingly and illegally".
She also said the young American had done so to take a picture of himself with his baby and an elephant, adds the
Huffington Post
.
He will appear in court on March 30.
He was taken into custody pending.
Planet
Cambodia: Saved from abuse, "the loneliest elephant in the world" reconnects with its fellows
Planet
African elephants: Satellites and "deep learning" to protect the species
Animals
Did you see ?
United States
Zoo
elephant