Wildlife Safety: The Dangers of Animal Selfies

This really should go without saying.

By Jeanette D. Moses | Published Mar 12, 2019 10:23 PM EDT

Another selfie-seeker wound up in the hospital this weekend after doing something absurd to “get the shot.” Seriously folks, stop doing this, it isn’t worth it.

A 30-year old woman hopped a barrier at Wildlife World Zoo to get a selfie with a jaguar over the weekend. The cat reached through the fence and grabbed her with its paw, lacerating the woman’s arm. Luckily the her injuries were not life-threatening, but, she needed stitches to stop the bleeding.

“There’s no way to fix people crossing barriers,” Mickey Ollson, the director of Wildlife World Zoo, told AZ Family after the attack. “That happens occasionally. And we put substantial barriers there and if people cross them, they can get in trouble.”

The zoo has been very clear that they won’t be euthanizing the animal because of the attack though.

We can promise you nothing will happen to our jaguar. She’s a wild animal and there were proper barriers in place to keep our guests safe- not a wild animals fault when barriers are crossed. Still sending prayers to her and her family.

Consider this your friendly reminder that you shouldn’t be attempting to take selfies with animals that could potentially eat you. Regardless of if you find them in the wild or behind the enclosures of your local zoo.

Although zoos and aquariums can provide great opportunities to photograph wild animals, use your head when you are doing it. Don’t cross barriers into animal enclosures and risk your life to get that shot.