19-year-old ‘influencer’ jumps into elephant enclosure at PA zoo, video shows
A self-proclaimed social media “influencer” is facing felony charges after he posted a video of himself jumping into an elephant enclosure at the Pittsburgh Zoo.
Court records show 19-year-old Noah Thomas of Austintown, Ohio, is charged with three felonies, including causing or risking catastrophe, criminal trespassing and conspiracy — risking catastrophe.
Thomas also faces two misdemeanor charges of cruelty to animals and recklessly endangering another person, records show. No attorney information was available.
Thomas posted a video of the Sept. 21 incident to his Instagram account “justnoah.t” with the caption “Professional gate jumper,” along with the phrases “Almost elephant food,” and “Pittsburgh Zoo Survivor.”
The video shows Thomas jumping over a fenced off area of the enclosure and approaching the elephant that was behind a gate. The elephant can be seeing hitting the gate and reaching for Thomas with its trunk.
Thomas included the hashtag “doitforthecontent,” among others, on the post.
Police said the man’s actions not only put himself and others guests at risk, but “also put the endangered elephant at risk of injury or death by taunting it all for social media likes,” CBS Pittsburgh reported citing court documents.
As of Oct. 17, Thomas’ video has 102 likes on Instagram.
Thomas and another person entered the Pittsburgh Zoo without a ticket “through a temporary exit where the zoo is being remodeled,” WKBN reported citing a criminal complaint.
