Zoo Visitor Climbs Into Zebra Enclosure "On A Dare"

A metro teenager is learning the hard way that not all dares are worth taking.

A 16-year-old male visitor at the OKC Zoo intentionally climbed inside an animal enclosure, all because of a dare. Zoo officials said the teenager scaled past two barriers before he was able to step foot inside the zebra habitat.

Park staff were alarmed by guests about the disturbance, and immediately investigated the incident in question.

After the guest was secured away from the enclosure, OKC Zoo Deputy Director Barry Downer issued the following statement: 

“The safety and security of both our guests and animals is our priority. Our animal habitats are designed both to keep animals in and to keep the public out so situations such as this do not occur."

Security officers at the park contacted the Oklahoma City Police Department, who arrested the exhibitionist on one complaint of criminal trespassing.

“The young man put himself in a serious situation, which endangered himself, our animals and staff,” said Downer.  

Zoo staff said the visitor had no physical contact with the animals.