A woman was filmed climbing over the fence surrounding the lion exhibit in the Bronx Zoo on September 28.  

The woman, Myah Autry, can be seen dancing and taunting a lion. At one point she waves to the lion. Luckily, the lion didn’t attack Autry, although the encounter could have ended in a fatality even though a small moat separated her and the large African lion The lion took a much calmer approach to the situation and calmly stayed his distance from Autry. 

 In a statement, the Bronx 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. We have a zero tolerance policy on trespass and violation of barriers.”

After the incident Autry posted this on instagram describing her encounter: “I REALLY HAVE NO FEAR OF NOTHING BREATHING! Lioness Instincts…only People wasn’t scared was me and The Children. All the Adults was Scared. Everybody Lions Until theY Meet Them in the FleshLet’s just Say The Lions & the Children and Kids that Witnessed “Queen Empress Myáh Lareé Israelite” Go In With the Lions !!️ And Made it Out Alive “I’m From Brownsville I never Ran And I never WiLL.”
Police are still searching for her as she is considered a fugitive. When found Autry may be brought up on charges for criminal trespassing. She even posted a rap on instagram where she taunted the NYPD saying, “If I walked into the lion’s den, do you think for one second I’m scared of a handcuff, I’m scared of a jail cell? And I’m not eating your food if y’all lock me up,” her account is now private. A concerend viewer commented, ”Do you take medication?” 

Even stranger, just hours after the incident Autry was in Times Square and posted and took pictures with police officers.