A father has been taken into custody after he made the reckless decision to carry his two-year-old daughter into the elephant enclosure at the San Diego Zoo for a photo opportunity. Yes, you read that right.
The 25-year-old man, identified as Marco Rodriguez, climbed over several barriers and “deliberately and unlawfully entered” the area inhabited by both Asian and African elephants, according to zoo spokesman Andrew James. A disturbing video captured by a bystander shows Rodriguez facing away from an agitated elephant, which then began to charge. In a panic, he tossed his daughter through the fence and managed to escape himself, narrowly avoiding being trampled.
Authorities reported that Rodriguez believed bringing his toddler along would make for a memorable photo with the elephant. It’s essential to remember that African elephants can run up to 25 mph and weigh around 13,000 pounds on average.
Witness Accounts
Witness Sophia Martinez recounted, “You could hear someone shouting, ‘Marco, stop! Marco, stop!’ He jumped the fence and went into the enclosure with his little girl, who couldn’t have been more than two. We immediately knew the elephant was going to charge, and it did.” Her partner, Jake Martinez, added, “We yelled at him to get out, and thankfully he turned just in time. He threw his baby through the gate; it was a split-second from being a disaster.”
Fortunately, neither Rodriguez, his daughter, nor the elephants were harmed during the incident. However, the presence of the father in the enclosure caused distress to the elephant. Following Rodriguez’s arrest, his daughter was returned to her mother, Officer Lisa Thompson told City News Service.
Incidents of Breaching Animal Enclosures
Incidents like this are not uncommon; each year, there are reports of individuals breaching animal enclosures at zoos. Such actions pose significant risks not only to the person involved but also to the animals. A notable incident in 2016 involved a three-year-old boy who climbed into a gorilla enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo and was subsequently grabbed by Harambe, a 17-year-old gorilla, leading to tragic consequences.
San Diego County jail records indicate Marco Rodriguez is being held on $100,000 bail under accusations of child endangerment. He is scheduled for arraignment on March 30.
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In summary, a father’s misguided attempt to capture a photograph with an elephant led to a dangerous situation at the San Diego Zoo, resulting in his arrest and charges of child endangerment. Thankfully, both he and his daughter emerged unharmed, but the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety and respect for wildlife.