The 25-year-old man who was mauled by a tiger at the Bronx Zoo will be arrested for trespassing, according to police.
David Villalobos told police the reason he jumped into the tiger's den was to be "one with the tiger."
Villalobos is in stable condition at Jacobi Hospital with bites and punctures to his arms, legs, shoulder and back. He also has a broken arm and leg, police said.
"We anticipate arresting David Villalobos on a trespassing complaint by Bronx Zoo authorities later today or early next week," said NYPD spokesman Paul Browne Saturday afternoon.
According to Browne, Villalobos told police detectives that he voluntarily jumped Friday from the monorail into the tiger den at the Bronx Zoo and that his leap was definitely not a suicide attempt.
NYPD Police Commissioner Ray Kelly described Villalobos actions as "foolish,"and which put Bronx Zoo personnel "in harms away" in their efforts to rescue him.
Commissioner Kelly said he also hoped that the incident did not result in any change to the zoo's monorail service and the unique way it allows the public to peer down into the tigers' habitat.
An NYPD sergeant asked Villalobos why he jumped into the den and he replied that "everybody in life makes choices," according to Browne.
Villalobos told police he sustained most of his injuries when he landed on all fours inside the predator's den after he jumped from the monorail. When he landed, he awoke the 400-pound Siberian tiger and spent 10 minutes alone with the animal before being rescued.
Villalobos told police he recalled being dragged by the tiger by the foot, and afterwards being able to "pet" the tiger.
Saturday, May 18 2013 6:52 PM EDT2013-05-18 22:52:45 GMT
A large crowd of supporters in the Bronx joined the parents of a slain teen to protest a judge's ruling Saturday. Constance Malcolm and Francelot Graham whose son Ramarley was killed back in February
A large crowd of supporters in the Bronx joined the parents of a slain teen to protest a judge's ruling Saturday. Constance Malcolm and Francelot Graham whose son Ramarley was killed back in February
Friday, May 17 2013 10:05 AM EDT2013-05-17 14:05:18 GMT
It's all about the Bronx as the borough celebrates a week of festivities honoring it's people and the many businesses and establishments that call it home.
It's all about the Bronx as the borough celebrates a week of festivities honoring it's people and the many businesses and establishments that call it home.
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:06:34 GMT
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:17 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:17:42 GMT
Several New York lawmakers are sounding the alarm about security and safety lapses at day care centers across New York City.
Several New York lawmakers are sounding the alarm about security and safety lapses at day care centers across New York City. In a report released Thursday, dozens of daycares cited by the Dept. of Health for serious and critical health code violations since 2010, have not fixed the problems and continue to operate without penalty.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-16 03:08:35 GMT
A judge in Manhattan put the brakes on the so-called Taxi of Tomorrow because the Nissan-built minivan does not come in a hybrid version -- a violation of the city code.
A judge in Manhattan put the brakes on the so-called Taxi of Tomorrow because the Nissan-built minivan does not come in a hybrid version -- a violation of the city code.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 3:39 PM EDT2013-05-15 19:39:09 GMT
Yankee Stadium will host two outdoor regular-season hockey games in January 2014, the National Hockey League announced. The New York Rangers will play the New Jersey Devils, Sunday, January 26. Then the
Yankee Stadium will host two outdoor regular-season hockey games in January 2014, the National Hockey League announced. The New York Rangers will play the New Jersey Devils, Sunday, January 26. Then the
Wednesday, May 15 2013 1:18 PM EDT2013-05-15 17:18:45 GMT
An indictment has been thrown out in the case against an NYPD police officer charged last year in the fatal shooting of an unarmed suspect in a Bronx home.
An indictment has been thrown out in the case against NYPD officer Richard Haste, charged last year in the fatal shooting of unarmed suspect Ramarley Graham in a Bronx home. A judge found on Wednesday that prosecutors gave flawed instructions to a grand jury that indicted Haste.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 9:54 PM EDT2013-05-15 01:54:43 GMT
The FDNY must subject itself to court supervision for five years to ensure it does not discriminate against blacks and Hispanics in its hiring practices, a federal appeals court said.
The FDNY must subject itself to court supervision for five years to ensure it does not discriminate against blacks and Hispanics in its hiring practices, a federal appeals court said.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 3:59 PM EDT2013-05-14 19:59:22 GMT
USDA photo
The tree-killing Asian longhorned beetle has been eradicated from Manhattan and Staten Island, but remains a problem in Brooklyn, Queens, and parts of Long Island.
The tree-killing Asian longhorned beetle has been eradicated from Manhattan and Staten Island, but remains a problem in Brooklyn, Queens, and parts of Long Island, according to state agriculture officials.
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